Amid Indo-China tension, India first ever exports cargo to Bangladesh through IBP route from Haldia port

Amid Indo-China tension, India first ever exports cargo to Bangladesh through IBP route from Haldia port

The inland vessel MV Purthi carrying 45 containers of sponge iron would reach Narayanganj, Bangladesh in 7 days, cutting down a substantial time, energy and fuel.

                     
 Biswabrata Goswami

 HALDIA, 1 JULY: Amid a serious escalation of tensions with China following the   first fatalities along their contested border in more than four decades, a surging   pandemic and an economy heading for recession, India – Bangladesh trade relation   has once again witnessed a major development.

In the line with the government’s focus on improving connectivity, the first ever containerised cargo movement via Indo-Bangladesh protocol route started from Haldia on Tuesday.

The inland vessel MV Purthi carrying 45 containers of sponge iron would reach Narayanganj, Bangladesh in 7 days, cutting down a substantial time, energy and fuel.

The voyage is an integrated IWT movement via National Waterways and Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route. This is the first ever containerized cargo movement on this Inland Water Transport (IWT) route.

In a statement, shipping ministry said, “The Maiden Exim cargo movement through National Waterways is a landmark moment and we are very delighted with our recent development in shipping sector. This environment-friendly mode of transportation would escalate business growth and contribute to the economic development of the country."

“In line with Government’s focus on strengthening regional connectivity through inland waterways, maiden containerised EXIM cargo consignment sailed from Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) to Narayanganj, Bangladesh,” ministry of shipping said in a statement.

It said 45 containers of steel fillings / pig iron ingots, of West Bengal-based steel manufacturer Rashmi Metaliks Ltd has been assigned to export to Bangladesh via National Waterway – 1, National Waterway – 97 (Sundarbans) and IBP Route.

Currently, IBP route is mostly used for transportation of Bulk cargo like fly-ash, coal, stone chips and over-dimensional cargo for export to Bangladesh.

India’s exports to Bangladesh in FY 2018-19 stood at USD 9.21 billion and imports from Bangladesh during the same period were USD 1.04 billion. 

The government said given the trade volume, this movement is a welcome development as it will not only reduce the congestions on

Land Custom Stations at Petrapole, Gojadanga etc but also reduce the cost of logistics, air pollution and GHG emissions.