Padma Bridge boosts use of Mongla port as it flags off 1st shipment

The opening of Padma Bridge has boosted the use of Mongla Port as the first shipment of garments has left the for abroad for the first time in the histrory.

The Maersk Nesna, a ship bearing the flag of Panama, left the port for Poland at 11:30 am on Thursday.

Mongla Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral Mohammad Musa confirmed the news. 

He said: "Just a month after the inauguration of the Padma Bridge, garment shipments have used the bridge to reach Mongla and paved a new way for garments exports. Today is a memorable day."

The ship is carrying 17 containers of garments from over two dozen factories in Dhaka and its surrounding areas.

The distance from Dhaka to Mongla is only 170 kilometres, compared to the 260 kilometres from Dhaka to Chattogram. But because of some issues, businesses in Dhaka did not make use of the Mongla port. "However, now that the Padma Bridge has opened, they are more eager to do so and the port authority is taking the necessary steps," added Musa.