|
|
| |
| :: Ctg port pours cold water on shipbuilding industry ~ |
|
| |
Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) has said it would allow shipbuilding yards in the upstream of the Karnaphuli river. But the vessel makers said CPA's policy would 'stunt' the growth of the hot new industry.
CPA chairman RU Ahmed said the Authority has drafted a policy to pave the way for establishing ship building yards in the Karnaphuli's upstream after they received applications from some top Chittagong conglomerates.
"The policy is now with the shipping ministry. We will permit companies to set up shipbuilding yards and slipways once the ministry gives its final approval," Ahmed said.
The chairman said the port would not approve any applications seeking to set up yards in the downstream where the port -- which handles 90 percent of the country's foreign trade-- is located.
"There are key government installations like port, power plants, fertiliser factories near the port. We won't allow any shipbuilding yards here due to concern over security, siltation and navigability," he said.
But as the shipping ministry is giving final touches to the policy, a leading shipbuilder who took part in some of the meetings came hard on the proposed government move.
"I've seen the policy prepared by the CPA. And all I can say is that it won't make anyone interested to build shipyards in Karnaphuli's upstream," he said.
He accused the CPA of deliberately "stunting" the growth of the fledgling industry as he notes establishing yards and slipways in the upstream "won't be feasible or be used for making big and medium sized ships."
"Some 10-12 companies have applied to build shipbuilding yards in the opposite side of the port. They are ready to spend $500 million to fast-track the growth of the industry," he said.
"We will never become a big player in shipbuilding if we cannot utilise the big space in the Karnaphuli's downstream -- the best possible site to build ship in Bangladesh."
Ocean-going shipbuilding is a hot new industry in Bangladesh, with two leading yard owners -- Ananda and Western Marine --- already bagging export orders worth US$600 million since the industry began journey in 2007.
Nearly a dozen top companies including some of Chittagong-based conglomerates have since joined the fray, buying land along the banks of the rivers Meghna and the Karnaphuli to build vessel making facilities.
Experts said Bangladesh with its huge pool of cheap welders, a history in launch-making and a network of rivers are perfectly placed to emerge as a top shipbuilders, after South Korea, Japan, China and Vietnam.
CF Zaman, the Bangladesh head of German ship inspection agency, says the downstream banks of the Karnaphuli is the best place for shipbuilding with deep draught and the vicinity to the port.
But Chittagong port baulked at the idea, banning any new ship-building facilities in the port's downstream, fearing it might cause navigational, safety and siltation problem for the ships.
The leading shipbuilder who wished to be anonymous rubbished CPA's concerns as "nonsense".
"They should visit Singapore port. All their big shipbuilding yards are located near the port. There is no way shipbuilding yards are threatening the security of key installations," he said.
He said having shipbuilding yards would lessen annual dredging budget for Chittagong port and would keep the channel clear.
"Every year shipyards spend millions in dredging river. They help clear siltation and have proved to be best destination for repair of ships and all sorts of emergencies," he said.
He said draught in two kilometres of Karnaphuli's upstream is only four-five feet, which is not a suitable to build medium sized ships. |
Source : |
|
| |
|
| ::
Business News ~ - - - - -
- |
|
|
|
|
|
