Sushama Paul Mandal , Bharat Newz 24*7 :
A 13-member delegation from Bangladesh on a four day visit to SMP, Kolkata from 9th to 12th July, 2024, to assess the possibilities of transhipment of Exim cargo of Bangladesh through Indian ports located on the East Coast. The delegation, led by the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, Bangladesh Sh. S M Mostafa Kamal, comprises of representatives from other key ministries, private stakeholders and ports of Bangladesh. The delegation’s visit to Ports in Haldia on 10th July and in Kolkata on 11th July – was in line with agreed minutes of India-Bangladesh Shipping Secretaries Level Talks (SSLT) held in Dhaka in December last year 2023.
In a prospective meeting, with the Chairperson of Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, Shri Rathendra Raman along with Deputy Chairperson of KDS, Shri Samrat Rahi, Deputy Chairperson of HDC, Shri A. K. Mehra, Shri A. P. S. Sirohi, Director (IWT), MoPSW, Shri A. K. Bansal, Director, IWAI and key officials from SMP, Kolkata; the visiting delegates from Bangladesh were given an introduction to Kolkata Dock System (KDS) and Haldia Dock Complex (HDC), by stating the current infrastructure and scope for handling of containerized cargo shipped from Bangladesh for third country export. The projected plans for future infrastructural development of the dock along with development of PPP model (Public-Private Partnership Model) were also briefly highlighted to the delegates.
The strategic advantage of SMP, Kolkata and its proximity to Bangladesh was highlighted along with the leverage of IBP protocol route with the aim to strengthen the Indo-Bangladesh trade relations to boost up the Export-Import trade.
The focal point of the discussion was to highlight the various trade facility advantages which the exporters from Bangladesh are likely to gain upon transshipment of the export bound cargo to third countries by handling them through SMP, Kolkata. Ease of availability of empty containers, lesser transit time compared to other major ports of Eastern India, allocation of dedicated vessels to plough between Bangladesh and India, provision for onward and return cargo to and from SMP, Kolkata for optimization of the operational cost were some of the highlighted points in the discussion.
Moreover, the scope of future development of trade facility by introduction of direct voyage serviced between SMP, Kolkata and China, planned vessel movement between SMP, Kolkata- Chittagong and Yangon port, introduction of Night-Navigation System, presence of extended allied service facilities at SMP, Kolkata in terms of CFS, strong presence of leading shipping lines, integrated road and rail transportation network and established custom facilities were also highlighted during the course of discussion with the delegates of Bangladesh to create a positive traction for the exporters of Bangladesh.
Under the current market scenario, a cost comparative analysis was drawn to establish the fact that shipment of export cargo from Chittagong (Bangladesh) to SMP, Kolkata will be much economical for further shipping to other third countries instead of shipment through transshipment port like Colombo. A of 2-way plying of the vessels will reduce the overall cost of transportation enabling a win-win trade proposition for both the nations.
The presence of established IBP protocol route covering all the major ports of call of Bangladesh like Mongla, Narayanganj, Ashugunj port with SMP, Kolkata will help to facilitate the quantum of export from Bangladesh especially with the introduction to the greater number of barges carrying loaded fly-ash from India which might have the potential to return along with the laden containers from Bangladesh.
The Bangladeshi delegation had a good experience and were hopeful of a positive outcome of the visit. Head of Bangladeshi delegation assured that on their return to Bangladesh a meeting will be conducted along with the stakeholders with the data, analysis and comparison they have obtained from their visit to SMP, Kolkata. The committee will submit a report to the Ministry of Shipping, Bangladesh and report will be communicated to India by diplomatic channel.
At the end, both sides are optimistic to find a new era in maritime connectivity between India and Bangladesh.
