State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) will play important role in global maritime sector as well as in the country in near future.
He disclosed it while addressing at the 42nd annual general meeting of the Board of Directors of BSC at Chattogram Boat club on Sunday.
The state minister said in the meantime, six ocean-going vessels has joined the fleet of BSC that procured from China and more 10 vessels are expected to join the fleet and discussions for procuring these vessels are undergoing with Denmark and China.
He also mentioned that father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman established national flag carrier BSC.
He said war ravaged Chattogram Port was not safe during that time and friendly nation Russian navigation experts cleared up mines from the port channel through sacrificing their lives.
After assassination of Bangabandhu, the marine sector of the country became almost dead but after the dynamic leadership of the Bangabandhu’s daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the marine sector shows sign of boost up as BSC by procuring six new vessels from China.
The state minister said the constructions of Bay terminal now under process, modernisation of the port is undergoing and a new sea port Payra Bandar is being developed in phases.
He said coal fired power plant and deep sea port works are progressing at Matarbari of Moheskhali upazila.
He further said beside the procurement of new vessels, BSC is mulling to procure LNG carrier vessel.
It was disclosed in the meeting that during the fiscal of 2018-19, BSC earns Tk.222.98 crores against the expenditures of Tk.175 crores. So, BSC earns profit of Tk.55.23 crore during the period.
Managing Director of BSC commodore Sumon Mahmud Sabbir also spoke on the occasion.