Direct cargo ship service with Morocco soon: Minister

FT ONLINE

Government is working to introduce direct merchant ship between Chattagram port of Bangladesh and Tanger-Med port of Morocco soon, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan said yesterday.

“Both the countries are working in this regard. A final decision will be taken soon to ply direct merchant ships between the two countries,” the minister told reporters after a meeting with Moroccan ambassador to Bangladesh Mohammed Houroro at the secretariat.

They also discussed various bilateral issues during the meeting. Earlier, a delegation led by the shipping minister visited Durban and Cape Town ports in Africa and Tanger-Med port in Morocco from January 15 to 23.

Shajahan Khan said that direct cargo ship service from Chattagram port to two ports—one in South Africa and another in Morocco- will be launched soon.

Currently, cargo ships reach the Chattagram port via Singapore, Colombo and Malaysian ports which takes long time and involves higher costs. The direct container ship service will lessen

both time and cost, said the minister. He also said delegations from both the countries will come to Bangladesh soon to visit the port. Then, MoU will be signed with them.

Among others, shipping ministry secretary Md Abdus Samad and minister counselor of Morocco embassy Hamid Machour were present during the meeting.