Mongla Port Rail Project Sees Eighth Extension

Biman Bangladesh Airlines reported a net profit of Tk 2.82 billion for FY 2023-24, with total revenue of Tk 105.75 billion. The announcement followed Biman's Annual General Meeting, chaired by Board Chairman Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury.

The government has exempted VAT, including advance tax, on importing capital machinery for ship-recycling yards to promote eco-friendly practices under global standards. Effective immediately and valid until 26 June 2025, the exemption aims to convert all ship-recycling yards into Green Ship Recycling Yards within the deadline. Failure to meet this goal will result in a ban on importing ships for recycling in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Bank has decided to keep the interest rate on a €470.78 million loan to the Payra Port Authority unchanged at 2%, despite rising market interest rates. The decision, made during the bank's 438th board meeting, followed government opposition to a proposed rate hike.

The Chattogram Port Workers and Staff Federation, affiliated with Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, has demanded the cancellation of the lease agreement with Saudi firm RSGT for operating the Patenga Container Terminal (PCT), urging its management by the port authority instead.

The Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) has issued an international tender for the disposal of its two oldest oil tankers, "Banglar Jyoti" and "Banglar Shourabh," which have been deemed unfit since 2015.

Chattogram port's container jetties have been largely vacant for weeks due to a decline in imports, resulting in fewer vessels arriving. The port, which has 18 jetties (12 for containers and 6 for bulk cargo), saw a significant drop in container vessels in November, with 103 vessels compared to 109 in October.