Photo : BSS

KHULNA, May 27, 2025 (BSS) - A foreign ship carrying 470 reconditioned vehicles from Japan docked at Mongla Port on Monday noon.

The ship, M.V. Viking Drive, bearing the flag of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, arrived at jetty no. 9 around 12 noon. The 164-metre-long and 7-metre-deep ship brought in a consignment of reconditioned cars of various models, including Toyota Axio, Allion, Corolla Cross, and Fielder, officials said.

Md Makruzzaman, Deputy Secretary (Public Relations) of the Mongla Port Authority (MPA), confirmed the arrival of the ship to BSS today. He said that the unloading of the cars is expected to be completed by this (Tuesday) evening, after which the ship will leave the port.

'Crown Navigation Shipping Agent' is the importer of the cars, he said, adding that now around 60 percent cars were imported through the Mongla Port.

He, however, said the import of luxury cars had halted since August last year due to the economic crisis.

"Now the crisis is over, so car imports have increased through Mongla Port as the MPA has increased huge facilities for the cars importer," he added.

Sayed Zahid Hossain, President of Mongla Bandar (Port) Berth and Ship Operator Association, said there was a dollar crisis from October last year to January this year.

"The price of the dollar has been declining since January 2025, which has encouraged traders to resume car imports," he added.