Mongla port offloads 714 more cars
MV Ocean Blue, a flag bearer of Panama, arrived at Mongla port yesterday, carrying 714 imported reconditioned cars from Japan.
This is the second time in the last seven months that reconditioned cars have been imported through Mongla seaport. Haq's Bay Automobiles based in Dhaka made both imports.
The first consignment of 255 imported reconditioned cars arrived at Mongla Port on June 3, 2009.
Port officials said that 100 cars, out of the 225 cars imported, are yet to be released from port, as customs officials have not yet given clearance.
The arrival of more than 714 imported reconditioned cars is a milestone for the port. However, problems may arise from a shortage of space in the port shed, said Md Mahbubullah, director (traffic) of Mongla Port Authority.
The import of more cars at the port in future depends on timely unloading and customs clearance.
Bottlenecks in processing the official formalities in this regard will discourage the import of reconditioned cars through Mongla port in future, said Abdul Haq, proprietor of Haq's Bay Automobiles.
"We prefer Mongla Port as it is less expensive than Chittagong port as far as import and unloading of reconditioned cars is concerned," he said.
Meanwhile, Mongla Port authorities urged customs authorities to be more sincere in giving clearance to unload the imported cars.
Port users also demanded introduction of automation systems at Mongla port to help customs officials gear up activities.
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