Bangladesh has started using the Calcutta port to import cooking gas from West Asia, opening a new chapter of co-operation between two countries. A very large gas carrier (VLGC) is now anchored at the Sandheads, 145km south of Haldia on the high seas to carry out ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of cargo.
LPG will be transferred from VLGC, MT Miura to barges which will carry the load to Mongla port, 190km from the Sandheads. The port offers 25 metres of draft, allowing the entry of very large crude or gas carriers or capesize vessels.
An importer from Bangladesh was earlier using a port in Indonesia to carry out similar operations. The distance between Mongla and the Sandheads, which falls under the limit of Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP), Calcutta, is substantially lower compared with the Indonesian port.
