A total of 335 cargo ships arrived at Yangon Port in the past seven months (January-July), according to the Myanma Port Authority
In August, 55 cargo ships carrying many containers have been scheduled to enter Yangon Port.
The number of cargo ships entering Yangon Port stands at 49 in January, 48 in February, 50 in March, 52 in April, 54 in May, 53 in June and 49 in July, respectively.
Starting from May, shipping lines are increasing their services to facilitate exports and imports. The turnaround time at the port was designated as approximately three days, under the guidance of the Myanma Port Authority and the cooperation of the ocean liners, exporters and importers. Therefore, the arrival of the ships has increased.
The Myanma Port Authority and Yangon inner terminals are providing services to ensure the fast and reliable freight handling and withdrawal of the containers in order for trade flow to return to normalcy.
Earlier, the larger ships had draft problems preventing their sailing on the Yangon River. The draft extension is up to 10 metres with the new navigation channel accessing the inner Yangon River.
The value of Myanmar’s maritime trade between 1 April and 22 July of the current financial year 2022-2023 soared to US$8.047 billion. The figure reflected an increase of $2.25 billion year on year. Sea trade rose from $5.79 billion during the year-ago period, the statistics of the Customs Department showed.
Exports through sea trade were valued at $3.437 billion, imports were registered at $4.6 billion.
Myanmar exports agricultural products, fishery products, minerals, livestock, forest products, finished industrial goods, and other products, while it imports capital goods, consumer goods, and raw industrial materials.
The country currently has nine ports involved in sea trade. Yangon Port is the main gateway for Myanmar’s maritime trade and includes Yangon inner terminals and outer Thilawa Port.
Yangon inner terminals and outer Thilawa Port received over 152 larger ships of above 30,000 DWT (deadweight tonnage) in the first five months (February-June) 2021 after the draft limit was extended up to 10 metres. — Htet Myat/GNLM
