Chennai Port Hosts Fruitful Discussions with Composite Delegation from Bangladesh

Composite team of 13 delegates from Bangladesh, accompanied by officials from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPS&W), Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC),

Chennai Port successfully hosted the composite team of 13 delegates from Bangladesh, accompanied by officials from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPS&W), Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), on 6th July 2024.

2. The visit's agenda was established during the 21^st Standing Committee Meeting (SCM) held on 20^th October 2021, with the agreement signed on 18^th December 2023. It was decided that a Composite Technical Team (CTT) from Bangladesh would visit these Indian ports to determine their suitability for handling third country cargo. Timelines were discussed and referred to the Shipping Secretary Level Talks (SSLT).

3. The delegation's itinerary, scheduled from 6^th to 12^th July 2024, includes stops at Chennai, Krishnapatnam, Visakhapatnam, Kolkata, and Haldia ports. The team will continue evaluating the potential of these ports for third country EXIM trade, which may necessitate modifications to the existing Coastal Shipping Agreement and the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for PIWTT.

4. During their visit, the delegation met with Chennai Port Authority and Kamarajar Port Limited officials and toured the port facilities to observe the advanced capabilities and robust infrastructure available at Chennai Port.

5. During the discussion Shri Sunil Paliwal, IAS, Chairperson, Chennai Port Authority & Chairman, Kamarajar Port Limited, focused on assessing the technical feasibility followed by  financial viability of facilitating third country export-import (EXIM) cargo under the Coastal Shipping Agreement and the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT) between India and Bangladesh. Shri S.Viswanathan, IAS, Deputy Chairperson, Chennai Port Authority, Smt. J.P. Irene Cynthia, IAS, Managing Director, Kamarajar Port Limited and Shri S.M.Mostafa Kamal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, Bangladesh interacted with each other exploring mutual benefits for both the countries.

The delegates from Bangladesh, impressed upon that the delegation is exploring the Transhipment of Bangladesh Cargo through Eastern Coast of India in addition to their traditional routes. The interactions were highly productive, with both sides highlighting and addressing various issues necessitating further micro level discussions on various aspects. Shri Rithu Raj Mishra, Director (Ports) Ministry of Port Shipping and Waterways mentioned that this visit marks a significant step in fostering stronger trade ties between India and Bangladesh and beyond through the Port in the Eastern Coast of India.