TDS Desk:

The arrival of commercial ships from different foreign countries to Mongla Port, the second-largest seaport in the country, has increased over the last couple of weeks, boosting its revenue earnings.

Sources at the Mongla Port Authority (MPA) said at least 42 foreign commercial ships anchored at the port in the first two weeks of the new year, along with the arrival of container-carrying ships laden with goods.

As a result, different levels of officers, employees, and ship laborers are passing busy days. Revenue earnings have also increased due to the arrival of more ships compared to previous years.

The port has been playing a vital role in the country’s import-export business, sources added.

Imported goods are being sent to different parts of the country easily due to suitable river, road, and railway route facilities.

Siddiqur Rahman, chief finance and accounts officer of the MPA, said the arrival of foreign commercial ships has increased since the beginning of this year compared to previous periods.

At present, 18-20 commercial ships laden with coal, fertilizer, clinker, LPG, and stone are anchored regularly on an average at different places of the Pashur Channel. So far, 42 ships have reached the port during the period of  1-15 January.

He also said 413 commercial ships reached the port during the first six months of the current 2024-25 financial year, and 10,386 TEUs containers were unloaded.

During the same time, 10 vehicle-carrying ships with 5,637 vehicles arrived.

Import-export of 52,84,471 tonnes of goods was done during the time, earning revenues worth Tk210 crore.

The import of reconditioned cars through Mongla Port has increased significantly as importers are increasingly bringing automobiles to the country via this seaport.

Currently, importers are receiving delivery of around 70% of imported cars through the port. Last fiscal year, a new era began in terms of revenue earnings, with 15,340 vehicles imported through the port.

Comparatively faster release of imported vehicles and adequate space to keep them at the port yards are two main reasons why importers prefer the port.

The theft of vehicle parts has disappeared from the port yards due to flawless security measures provided by the port authority.

The imported automobiles can reach Dhaka in the shortest time—half of the previous time—thanks to the construction of Padma Bridge, he added.

Muhammad Makruzzaman, deputy director of the MPA, said different facilities, including quick unloading of vehicles, construction of improved sheds and yards for housing imported vehicles, and round-the-clock patrol and CCTV monitoring for vehicle safety, are provided to port users.

He said, “Importers have chosen the port as it saves both time and money.”

Makruzzaman also said 69 navigation buoys were installed for the unhindered movement of foreign ships in the sea channels. There are facilities to anchor 47 ships at the jetty, mooring buoys, and anchorage simultaneously.

Apart from this, there are transit sheds, a warehouse, a container yard, 161 reefer plug points for preserving frozen foods, a car parking yard, 136 modern handling machines, and 32 supportive boats with tugboats for the convenience of importers and exporters.

MPA Chairman Rear Admiral Shaheen Rahman said businessmen prefer Mongla Port for importing vehicles as several mega projects were implemented here to ensure various facilities for exporters and importers.