The 74th founding anniversary of the Mongla Port, country’s second largest sea port, was celebrated Sunday with a pledge to boost up its capacity, profit and service.
To mark the day, different programmes were held with fanfare and festivity. The programmes included hoisting of national flag during sunrise, rally, discussion and doa mahfil.
The MPA Chairman Rear Admiral Shaheen Rahman began the day through released balloons as the chief guest.
Besides, the Mongla Port buildings, main gate, jetty, ships and Mongla Port Authority (MPA) office building and main gate in Khulna were illuminated. All home and foreign ships anchored at the jetty blew whistle for one minute at 12:01 am. On the occasion, a rally led by Chairman of the MPA Rear Admiral Shaheen Rahman started from the MPA administrative building and ended at the main gate of the jetty after parading different parts of the port area.
Established in 1950, Mongla Port has gone through many struggles and setbacks, said a high official, adding: "Now it's one of the busiest seaports of the country. As per the Act of Chalna Authority, its name was set as Chalna Port Authority in 1987 and later its rename was Mongla Port Authority, he said.
While speaking at the discussion, MPA Chairman Rear Admiral Shaheen Rahman said, “Mongla Port will turn into a shipping hub very soon.''
Turning construction works of four development projects are going on full swing, the MPA chairman said 69 navigation boyas have been set up at port channel for smooth plying of foreign ships.
A total of 47 ships have become docked facilities at the Port jetty, mooring, boya and anchorage. Besides, 161 refer plug points were set up for preserving frozen foods and 32 helping vessels facilities existed of its 136 modern handling equipments and tugboats.
Mentioning at least 29 lakhs metric tonnes goods have imported and exported through the Port in first four months during the current fiscal year, the MPA chairman said possibility of transit goods export from India, Bhutan and Nepal has created through the Port.
Over 24 containers handling in an hour is possible now for the first time after procuring modern equipments and handling of five ships is now possible at a time as navigation is existing for regular dredging in front of five Jetties.
Later, the chief guest handed over honorary crest among 32 MPA officials, employees and 29 Port users’ organisations for their outstanding performances. Besides, a farewell reception was given for the MPA officials and employees who were completed PRL vacation during December 2, 2023 from December 1, 2024.
Among others, MPA captain Mohammad Kibria Haque, members Kazi Abed Hossain, Dr A K M Anisur Rahman, Kalachand Singha, addressed the meeting as special guests while Director Md Nuruzzaman, delivered the welcome speech.
