CHITTAGONG: The new bulk carrier ‘MV Banglar Joyjatra’ built in China, has been added to the fleet of the state-run Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) as reached Chittagong port.

The number of BSC’s total ship has now risen to three with inclusion of the new one after nearly 27 years. 

Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan and top officials of BSC visited the vessel anchored at the outer anchorage of Chittagong Port Saturday (Oct 6).

‘MV Banglar Joyjatra’ will open new dimension to BSC, said BSC Managing Director Commodore Yahya Syed. 

Initiative was taken in 2010 to purchase the vessel. Later, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina approved it at an ECNEC meeting in 2013, BSC former managing director commodore (retd) Moksumul Huq told Banglanews.

6 vessels are being constructed for BSC at a cost of Tk 1,843 crores, with financial assistance from Chinese government under G2G plan. Shipping organization China National Machinery Import & export Corporation (CMC) are providing financial and technical support. The vessels are being built at CMC’s shipyard Jiangsu New Yangzi Shipbuilding Co Ltd in Wuxi city under Jiangsu province.

The six vessels include three oil tankers and three bulk carriers. Each of those will has 39,000 metric tons (DWT) receptivity.

However, the bulk carrier ‘MV Banglar Joyjatra’ was launched at the Chinese shipyard, on Apr 24 this year. A five-member team led by Minister Shahjahan Khan attended the occasion.

On Jul 13, Jiangsu New Yangzi Shipbuilding Co Ltd handed over the vessel to BSC.

Beginning the voyage from China, it visited several ports in South Korea, Indonesia and India. Later, it entered off Bangladesh’s maritime boundary via Oman, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. It had carried 37,000 metric tons of stone on the way. 

‘MV Banglar Joyjatra’ is 180-meter in length, 40-meter in width and 9 meter in draft. It is capable to float 14-16 nautical miles per hour. It is equipped with a system of charging electrically.

BDST: 1204 HRS, OCT 7, 2018
SI/SMS