First ever cargo ship reaches Mongla Port from Japan directly

A cargo ship carrying a record number reconditioned cars from Japanhas reached Mongla Port directly for the first time. 
The Malaysian flag carrier, MV Malaysia Star carrying 1,280 cars anchored at jetty 6 of the port on Sunday (August 7) morning.

Earlier, ships carrying cars imported from Japan unloaded some goods at Chattogram Port and then came to Mongla Port. At that time, a ship generally carried 500 to 700 imported cars. But, due to Padma Bridge, the cost and distance is reduced, so importers are now importing cars directly to Mongla Port.

General Manager Md Wahiduzzaman of Ancient Steam Ship, the local shipping agent for the MV Malaysia Star, said the ship anchored at Mongla Port on Sunday morning. Unloading has already started and is expected to complete the unloading within next day.

Mongla Port Authority’s Harbour Master Commander Sheikh Fakhar Uddin said, “Earlier the cargo ship carrying reconditioned cars from Japan firstly unloaded some goods at Chattogram Port and then came to Mongla Port. At that time, a ship could hold only 500-700 cars, would come to Mongla Port after offloading some goods at Chattogram.

He said, “Now importers are bringing cars directly through Mongla Port as the cost and distance have come down due to the Padma Bridge.”

Mongla Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral Mohammad Musa said, “Importers and exporters are now showing more interest in Mongla Port as the distance from capital Dhaka by road has reduced due to the Padma Bridge.”