Bangladesh to procure six new ships from China

Bangladesh will procure six new ships from China at a cost of Taka 1,843 crore, said a release today.

"Each ship will have 39,000 tonnes capacity. The six ships-three oil tankers and three bulk carriers-will be added with Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) within 2018," said the release quoting an official.

A three-member delegation led by Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan has left the capital last night for China.

The other members of the delegation are Additional Secretary of the Shipping Ministry M Abdul Kuddus Khan and Executive Director (technical) of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation M Sayed Ullah.

Of the total procurement cost, Taka 1,448 crore will come from Chinese government while the rest Taka 395 crore will come from BSC`s own fund.

The three oil tankers would be used for transporting imported and refined petroleum of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) and the bulk carriers would be used for carrying coal for power stations, including fertilizer and bulk commodities.

The minister will come back on May 20.

Bangladesh Shipping Corporation has so far procured a total of 38 ships since 1972.

Source: BSS