Final Shipment of Indian Import Rice Arrives at Mongla Port

The final consignment of rice under the third import package agreement with India has successfully arrived at Mongla Port. Early on Saturday morning, the Vietnamese-flagged vessel, MV Phu Than-36, dropped anchor in the main channel of the southern maritime gateway. This arrival marks the conclusion of a structured grain procurement strategy aimed at bolstering national food reserves.

Abdus Sobahan, the Assistant Food Controller for the Mongla Port area, confirmed that the vessel is carrying 5,736.500 metric tonnes of rice. Immediate operational protocols have been initiated by local authorities. Technical teams have collected grain samples from the cargo hold to undergo rigorous laboratory testing. These tests will verify that the imported grain meets the strict nutritional and quality standards stipulated in the bilateral supply contract. Regular offloading operations will commence as soon as the laboratory results prove satisfactory and final customs clearance is granted.

This delivery concludes the entire contracted volume of rice scheduled for import from India through this specific maritime route. A total of ten commercial vessels were deployed to transport the comprehensive grain allocation across the Bay of Bengal to the port. Upon completing the final offloading process, the food department plans to distribute the grain via domestic river networks. Barges will transport the supplies to various government silos and regional distribution centres across the country.

The successful completion of this import schedule highlights the crucial role played by Mongla Port in managing national food security. By utilising internal river channels for onward transit, the food ministry aims to reduce transport costs and ensure a steady supply of staples to local markets. Officials from the directorate general of food are monitoring the final clearance process to prevent any unnecessary delays in the domestic supply chain.