Mongla port: Construction of ferry ghat between LPG jetties poses risks

Traders have expressed concern over the construction of a ferry slip between two jetties that are used to unload liquid petroleum gas (LPG) in Mongla Port, the second largest seaport in Bangladesh.

The Roads and Highways Department had decided to establish the specialised dock, known locally as a ghat, between the two jetties operated by Omera Petroleum Limited and Jamuna Spacetech Joint Venture Limited some three months ago.

But if ferries launch from here, the risk of accidents in the port channel will increase and endanger the safety of the LPG plants as well, according to the LPG Operators' Association of Bangladesh (LOAB).

As such, the project was halted for a while but ultimately resumed from October 16.

A letter signed by LOAB President Azam J Chowdhury sent to various state departments, including the shipping ministry, detailed various concerns regarding the establishment of a ferry ghat in the Mongla Port channel.

It is a serious threat to all LPG installations in the area as well as the port itself and besides, foreign vessels carrying the fuel may object to the establishment of such passenger jetties.

In addition, navigability of the river will decrease, LOAB said. Other than LOAB, users of Mongla Port have also expressed concern over the matter.

A businessman seeking anonymity said no opinions were taken from port users or traders in the vicinity regarding the project.

"So, it is a bad decision as once this ghat is fully operational, shipping through the channel will be disrupted and major accidents will become possible," he said.

"And once a major accident occurs, it will have a negative impact on the global image of Mongla Port," the businessman added.

Ahsanul Jabbar, general secretary of LOAB, said it is very dangerous to have a ferry ghat in such a sensitive point of the port channel.

"We contacted all the concerned departments including the Ministry of Shipping and Mongla Port authority in this regard," he added.

Shahinur Alam, director (administration) of the Mongla Port Authority, said construction of a ghat or any other structure in the channel poses risk as it is an international port.

Alam then informed that they have yet to give written permission for any kind of ghat or road construction in the area.

However, Md Farid Uddin, executive engineer of the Roads and Highways Department in Bagerhat, said they received permission from the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges to begin the project.

"As engine-driven water vehicles ply this channel while our ferries are also engine driven, there is no problem. Also, the channel is very wide. So, there will be no difficulty if we run it with caution," he added.