Ferries handed to Mozambique

A vessel built for Mozambique lies anchored yesterday. Photo: Sohel Parvez

Ananda Shipyard and Slipways Ltd (ASSL), one of the biggest local shipbuilders, yesterday handed over six ferries and boats to the Mozambique government.
“We are extremely happy to have built these ships for the people of Mozambique. The construction of these vessels is yet another milestone for us after we delivered 'Stella Maris' earlier to a Danish buyer,” said Afruja Bari, managing director of ASSL.
ASSL handed over the vessels at a function at its shipyard at Meghnaghat, Narayanganj. On the same occasion, the company also inaugurated plate cutting and keel laying for a total of four 5,500-dwt (dead weight tonnage) ships for a German company.
Shipping Ministry Adviser Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin, Danish Ambassador Einar H Jensen and German Ambassador Frank Meyke spoke at the function among others.
Atanasio Francisco, a representative of the Mozambique government, received the vessels from the company, which has so far bagged orders worth $373.50 million for building 34 vessels for European and African buyers.
The company has already received about $38.54 million in advance from its buyers, it said.
Another local shipbuilder, Western Marine Shipyard, has also got orders for making 17 ships for European buyers, which altogether pushes the value of the total orders to Bangladesh for building mainly small ships up to $500 million, stakeholders said.
Cost competitiveness, technical know-how, skilled manpower and communication skill of the local shipbuilders helped them get these orders.
MA Matin said the government has declared shipbuilding a thrust sector and accorded the green channel facilities of clearing goods for the 100 percent export oriented shipyards.
Referring to the demands of the shipbuilders such as 30 percent cash subsidy and waiver of bank guarantee against import of raw materials to build vessels, Matin said his ministry would take the issue to the chief adviser for consideration.
The Danish ambassador said the ship delivered earlier by ASSL is performing well.
“The world is closely watching (Bangladeshi shipbuilding industry),” he said, citing foreign ship owners and investors.
He suggested framing regulations to help develop the sector.
The German envoy stressed timely delivery of ships. “It will reflect the reliability of Bangladeshi companies and their dedicated workers.”