Photo: BSS

MONGLA PORT (Khulna), Jan 9, 2025 (BSS) - The import of reconditioned cars through Mongla Port has increased to a great extent as importers are getting interested in bringing automobiles to the country through the seaport.

Currently, importers are receiving delivery of around 70 percent of imported cars through the port. Last fiscal year, a new era was opened up in terms of earning revenue by importing 15,340 vehicles through the port.

In the fiscal year 2021-22, a total of 20,608 vehicles have been imported through this port, which is the highest ever.

Abdul Haque, President of Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicles Importers and Dealers Association (BARVIDA), told BSS that a new usher of opportunities for the businessmen in the country's southern region has opened for the construction of Padma Bridge, and they are eager to import vehicles through the port.

"Comparatively faster release of imported vehicles and adequate space to keep those at the port yards are two main reasons for choosing the port by importers.

He said around 70 percent of vehicles have been imported through the port.

The stealing 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, which is half of the previous time, due to the construction of Padma Bridge, he added.

"Port users have been encouraged to make exports and imports of garment items, food grains, jute goods, and other commodities through the port," Abdul Haque said.

Talking to BSS, Muhammad Makruzzaman, Deputy Director of Mongla Port Authority (MPA), said various incentive packages provided by the port authorities to the importers, unloading of vehicles from the port in a short span of time, construction of improved sheds and yards to house imported vehicles, and round-the-clock patrol and CCTV monitoring to ensure vehicle safety are the reasons for the increasing import of vehicles.

He said, "Importers have chosen the port as it saves both time and money."
He also said that due to the improvement in the road communication system, there will be an increase in car imports, and a lot of work will be done in this port.

During the first six months of the current 2024-25 fiscal year, 413 commercial ships reached here apart from 10,386 TEUs of container handling. A total of 5,637 vehicles were imported through 10 vehicle-carrying ships.

Simultaneously, a total of 52,84,471 tonnes of goods were imported and exported through the port, making the port earn Taka 210 crore in revenues.

Makruzzaman said 69 navigation buoys were installed for the unhindered movement of the foreign ships in the sea channels. There are scopes of anchoring 47 ships in the jetty, mooring buoys, and anchorage simultaneously.

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

BARVIDA President Abdul Haque said with the opening of Padma Bridge, the interest in importing cars through this port has increased as less time is required to reach Dhaka from the seaport.

The distance from Dhaka to Chittagong port is 260 km, while the distance from Mongla to Dhaka is 180 kilometres. That is why the importers are able to reach different parts of the country, including Dhaka, in a very short time.

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