May 19
TERMINALS in Yangon Port received 199 cargo ships in the past four months (January-April), according to the Myanma Port Authority.
The shipping lines are increasing their services to facilitate exports and imports, and 54 cargo ships carrying many containers are to enter Yangon Ports in May.
The number of cargo ships entering Yangon Ports stands at 49 in January, 48 in February, 50 in March and 52 in April.
The turnaround time at the ports was designated as approximately three days, under the guidance of the Myanma Port Authority and the cooperation of the ocean liners, exporters and importers. Therefore, the arrival of the ships has increased.
Myanma Port Authority and Yangon inner terminals are providing services to ensure the fast and reliable cargo handling and withdrawal of the containers in order for trade flow to return to normality.
Earlier, the larger ships have draft problems preventing their sailings on the Yangon River. The draft extension is up to 10 metres with the new navigation channel accessing to inner Yangon River.
The value of Myanmar’s maritime trade between 1 April and 6 May of the current financial year 2022-2023 soared to US$2.2 billion. The figure reflected an increase of $491 million as against last FY. Sea trade rose from $1.7 billion during the year-ago period, the statistics of the Customs Department showed.
Exports through sea trade were valued at $916 million and imports registered at $1.307 billion.
Myanmar exports agricultural produce, fishery products, minerals, livestock, forest products, finished industrial goods, and other products, while it imports capital goods, consumer goods, and raw industrial materials.
The country currently has nine ports involved in sea trade. Yangon Port is the main gateway for Myanmar’s maritime trade and includes the Yangon inner terminals and the outer Thilawa Port.
Yangon inner terminals and the outer Thilawa Port received over 152 larger vessels of above 30,000 DWT (Deadweight tonnage) during the five months (February-June) 2021 after the draft limit had extended up to 10 metres. — Htet Myat/GNLM
