Despite having good prospects, the anchoring of container carrier ships declined by 29.41 per cent during the July–February period of the current fiscal year compared to the corresponding period of the last fiscal year because of the reduced navigability of the Possur channel and rising costs, according to the data provided by the Mongla Port Authority (MPA). MPA data disclosed that during the period from July to February of the current fiscal year, only 24 container carrier ships anchored at Mongla Port. The figure was 34 in the same period in the last fiscal year.
During this period, a total of 6,139 containers has anchored at Mongla Port against 9,468 containers in the previous year, a figure that is 35.16 per cent lower.
Even the delivery of containers declined by 53.09 per cent during July to February, as the MPA delivered a total of 3,524 containers during this period. The figure was 75.12 per cent in the last fiscal year.
However, the port’s revenue growth increased by 22.86 per cent in FY 2015–16 compared to the previous fiscal year. In FY 2015–16, MPA earned Tk. 3,968.50 crore against the targeted Tk. 2,600 crore, while it was Tk. 2,416.17 per cent against Tk. 2,223.80 crore in FY 2014–15.
The MPA said the imports of cargo containers declined by 34.54 per cent in the last fiscal year and exports of high-duty goods dwindled by 83 per cent.
MPA chairman Commodore AKM Faruque Hassan said the port utilised only 50 per cent of its capacity because it lacks necessary equipment and the navigability of the Possur channel is low.
He further said importers have to pay an additional USD 300–500 per container compared to Chittagong port, which is a burden for businessmen. He said there are additional costs as the main harbour is 132km from Mongla Port.
The MPA chairman said the Possur channel has to be dredged immediately. At least six dredgers are required for this, he added.
A Port police station is also required to ensure security at Hiron Point, the entry point of the channel, he said, adding: “We also need sophisticated ships. The ships that are available are at least 30 years old.”
If these facilities are available, the usage of this port would be beneficial for India as, by using this port, goods can be carried to the north-eastern states of the neighbouring country, he noted. He further said Nepal and Bhutan are also interested in the use of the ports for facilitating their external trade.
He said the underutilised Mongla Port would become busy. Its earnings would rise significantly once India, Nepal, and Bhutan start using the port.
Faruque Hassan said, “We are ready to handle the cargoes of India, Nepal and Bhutan. Almost half the total capacity of the port currently remains unutilised.”
Bangladesh has already granted transit and transhipment facilities to neighbouring India. Its vessels are already carrying goods to the seven sister states using Ashuganj river port.
Mongla Customs House commissioner Dr Md Al Amin Paramanik said though the anchoring of container carrier ships has fallen, revenue collections have shown an increasing trend over the past few years.
He also said contractors have been appointed for the expansion and modernisation of facilities at Mongla Port. The projects are funded by China.
The total cost of the expansion and modernisation project of Mongla Port facilities is estimated at Tk. 4,393 crore.
The expansion project of Mongla Port facilities entails construction of container terminal buildings, a multi-storied car yard and a container delivery yard.
A main road and a bypass road of four lanes near Mongla Port would also be constructed.