Ctg-Singapore route
Modern vessel deployed for faster service
Our Correspondent, Ctg
A brand new container vessel equipped with modern facilities was deployed on the Chittagong-Singapore route yesterday with a view to providing faster and reliable shipping services to the country's trade.The vessel MV OEL Singapore arrived at Chittagong Port on Thursday evening from Singapore, the first in 35 years. Chittagong Divisional Commissioner Mokhlesur Rahman formally commissioned the vessel at a ceremony held on its deck yesterday. Mokhlesur Rahman said the efficiency of Chittagong Port has increased remarkably. He hoped that launching of this speedy vessel will help improve business especially in the readymade garment sector. Orient Express Lines (OEL) Singapore Private Limited launched the container vessel built by ST Marine of Singapore at a cost of $30 million. The ship is capable of carrying 1,030 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) containers per voyage with a maximum draft of 8.3 metres. The garment sector will benefit to a great extent from the MV OEL because--as OEL officials claimed--it will cut down the export "lead time" by four days, much to the relief of both importers and exporters. OEL Managing Director Mahesh S Iyer said, "The improved conditions of Chittagong Port has encouraged us to send our brand new ship to Chittagong." The OEL understands that faster and reliable shipping services are much needed for Bangladesh and so introduced the high-tech vessel, Iyer said, adding that the next vessel in line with the same features--named MV OEL Blessing--is scheduled to be ready for delivery in August this year. "I am sure that many other operators would follow us in future," Iyer added.
| 
