Mongla, June 30 (V7N) — Following previous shipments from Pakistan, a third consignment of molasses has arrived at Mongla Port—this time from Thailand. On June 25, the Panama-flagged vessel MT Hai Hong docked at Jetty No. 7 of the port, carrying 5,500 metric tons of liquid molasses, an essential energy supplement for ruminant animals. Unloading of the cargo is currently underway, confirmed Md. Makruzzaman, Deputy Director (Board & Public Relations) of the Mongla Port Authority.
 
Earlier this year, molasses was imported through Mongla Port for the first time from Pakistan’s Karachi Port. The first consignment of 5,500 metric tons arrived on February 6 aboard MT Dolphin-19, followed by a second batch of 6,500 metric tons on March 22.
 
According to Tayebur Rahman, Manager of Starpath Shipping Ltd—the local agent of MT Hai Hong—the latest shipment was loaded at Thailand’s Kaer Siam Port on June 14 and reached Mongla on June 25. Once unloading is complete in the next couple of days, the molasses will be transported by rail to Joypurhat district in northern Bangladesh. From there, it will be distributed to various animal feed manufacturers across the country.
 
Md. Makruzzaman noted that this marks the third such shipment through Mongla Port, but the first one sourced from Thailand. “The molasses will play a key role in supporting Bangladesh’s growing livestock feed industry,” he added.
 
Importer Md. Anwarul Haque stated that the shift to alternative sources like Pakistan and Thailand became necessary after India imposed a 50% duty hike on molasses exports. “In the first quarter of FY 2024–25, imports from Pakistan rose by more than 27%, while imports from India declined by nearly 9.5%,” he said. The change reflects broader trade dynamics, including strained India-Bangladesh relations after August 5 and improving ties with Pakistan.
 
The continued diversification of import sources through Mongla Port highlights the strategic shift in Bangladesh’s trade approach, ensuring supply stability for critical agricultural inputs like molasses.
 
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