Ananda Shipyard exports another cargo ship

Another cargo container ship built in Bangladesh has been exported to the United Kingdom. 

Ananda Shipyard & Slipways Ltd (ASSL) built the ship and exported it to UK’s Enzian Shipping Company Ltd. 

The handing-over ceremony was held at Inter-Continental hotel on Tuesday, attended by State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury as the chief guest.

According to the ASSL, the ship is 364 feet long, 54 feet wide and 27 feet in depth. The ship’s engine capacity is 4,130 horsepower, speed is 12.5 nautical miles and deadweight tonnage (DWT) capacity is 6,100.

The multipurpose ship can carry containers of all kinds of goods including heavy steel coil, food grain and timber. It is capable of navigating in most hostile sea weather.

At the event, the state minister said, “Bangladesh is exporting a state-of-the-art multipurpose container ship to the UK today. This is a proud day for us.”

“The shipbuilding industry is a potential export sector. It has expertise in state-of-the-art shipbuilding. If properly utilised, the sector has the potential to bag export earnings close to that of the ready-made garment industry in the future,” he added.

Khalid said, “Despite securing our maritime border, we have not been able to utilise the sea resources. We are far behind in this regard. It is important to move forward in this potential sector.”

The government is taking various steps to give importance to it. Meanwhile, the capacity of all ports including Chittagong, Matarbari, Mongla and Payra is being increased, the state minister said.

Ananda Shipyard Chairman Dr Abdullah Bari said that their shipyard, located at Meghnaghat in Sonargaon, has been building international standard ships for more than 30 years. “About 30,000 tonnes of steel is needed annually for building ships and vessels at Ananda Shipyard that has introduced and popularised modern shipbuilding techniques in the country,” he said.

Observing that Bangladesh has suitable weather and environment as well as manpower needed for the shipbuilding industry, he said, “The industry contributes Tk 15,000 crore annually to the national exchequer through ship export, ship management, passenger transportation and transportation of goods by domestic shipping lines, coastal and inland cargos. The amount will increase to Tk 100,000 crore by 2041.”

Mentionable, Anand Shipyard first exported a ship in 2008, and so far it has built and exported about a dozen of cargo ships.

Anand Shipyard Managing Director Afruja Bari, Member of National Board of Revenue (Customs Policy) Hossain Ahmed, Director General of Shipping Directorate Commodore Nizamul Haque and Managing Director and CEO of Islami Bank Mohammed Monirul Maula, among others, were also present at the event.