Cargo vessel ‘M/v Trans Samudera’ departed from Chattogram Port in Bangladesh on Wednesday carrying an Indian transit container that was transported from Meghalaya via the territory of Bangladesh. This movement of cargo is part of the trial runs being undertaken for the operationalization of the Agreement to use Chattogram and Mongla Ports (ACMP) for the transit of goods to and from India which was signed between Indian and Bangladesh in 2018. An SOP was signed to operationalize the Agreement during the visit of Prime Minister of Bangladesh to India in 2019.
The current trial run is being undertaken on Dawki–Tamabil–Chattogram route by Tata Steel and CJ Darcl Logistics Ltd.
The current cargo movement marks the completion of all trial runs on all approved routes under this Agreement. Following completion of trial runs, the necessary permanent standing order or notification would be issued by the Government of Bangladesh for the operationalization and regular movement of goods under this Agreement.
The first trial movement under this agreement on the Chattogram-Akhaura-Agartala route was successfully conducted in July 2020 wherein four containers, two of TMT steel and pulses, were delivered at ICP Agartala through Chattogram port.
Transit of goods is approved over eight routes under the agreement. Goods can be transported from Chattogram or Mongla port to Agartala via Akhaura, Dawki via Tamabil, Sutarkandi via Sheloa, and Srimantapur via Bibir Bazar and vice versa on all four routes. The transit or transshipment of goods under this agreement will reduce both cost and time for transport of goods to Northeastern States of India. It will also create economic gains for the Bangladesh logistics and services industry including Insurance, transport, and finance as only Bangladesh trucks will be used for transshipment.
