Bangladesh has exported a cargo ship built by the Chittagong-based Western Marine Shipyard (WMS), for the first time to Ecuador a leading economy of the South America.
The cargo ship MV Stella Atlantic, a 3,818 dead-weight tonnage was handed over to Transnavean Ecuador based state shipping company amid an impressive ceremony held in the port city on Monday.
The ship was built at the shipyard at Kolagaon on the south bank of the river Karnaphuli near the port city of Chittagong over the past months.
Port Chairman, Rear Admiral M Nizamuddin Ahmed and Bangladesh Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Vice Chairman Shubhashish Bose were present as the chief guest and special guest respectively at the delivery ceremony.
Captain Alejandro Villacis Aguilar, Director of Ecuadorian Navy Company and Transnave General Manager Luis Mera Brito were were present.
Rear Admiral M Nizamuddin highly praised Western Marine's achievement and contribution to the nation in shipbuilding and export. He has mentioned Western Marine has created a brand name all over the world for their quality shipbuilding practice.
EPB Vice Chairman Shubhashish Bose mentioned that it is a joyous moment as Bangladesh is sending a symbolic product to Ecuador as its first export to that country.
WMS Chairman Saiful Islam stated that Western Marine is contributing in the national export by exporting in different parts of the world. "Ships are considered very high-end product all over the world and we have proven ourselves to be a shipbuilding nation upon delivering overseas."
He has also urged for government support to further promote shipbuilding in Bangladesh for export diversification.
WMS Managing Director Sakhawat Hossain said: "After Europe, East Africa and Pacific now we are into South America through this export of ship. From now on this ship will promote us by branding Made in Bangladesh.