Yangon Port Thrives: Export figures and shipping methods

SINCE the conclusion of the monsoon season in October 2023, Yangon Port has been bustling with cargo vessels, containers, trade activities, and employees. The Ministry of Commerce reports that Myanmar exported nearly US$2 billion worth of agricultural produce from April 2023 to January 2024. In February alone, the country exported 384,405 tonnes of rice, bringing the total exported rice for the 11 months of the financial year 2023-24 to 1.4 million tonnes.

Traditionally, rice exports have been facilitated via containers. However, due to a shortage of containers in the financial year 2021-22, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, exporters turned to stacking rice in general cargo vessels. This financial year, the volume of rice exported in containers has doubled compared to the stacking method. Europe, Africa, and Asian countries, including Bangladesh and Indonesia, remain primary markets for Myanmar rice.

In February, bean exports reached 156,950 tonnes, contributing to a total bean export of 1.2 million tonnes in the current financial year. Exporters primarily use containers to export beans to India and other Asian countries. Corn exports in February totalled 365,472 tonnes, marking the highest monthly export for corn. The total corn export for the current financial year is 891,038 tonnes. Exporters mainly transport corn by stacking it in the cargo holds of vessels, accounting for 75 per cent of corn exports, while the remaining 25 per cent are shipped in containers. Thailand and the Philippines are the primary buyers of corn.

Small-scale private vessels with capacities of 2,700-3,000 tonnes are also engaged in trading corn to Ranong and Kantang ports in Thailand. The Myanma Port Authority oversees operations to ensure timely transportation with minimal waste. It collaborates with the Myanmar Rice Federation, beans and pulses merchants, as well as the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Myanmar International Freight Forwarders Association, the Customs Department, the Department of Trade, and other stakeholders to ensure an adequate supply of containers.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Yangon Port: 53 container vessels slated to arrive in Feb

In February, six container vessels each run by Maersk Line, Cosco Shipping Line and Samudera Shipping Line, five each by CMA CGM Line and SITC Shipping Line, four by MSC Line, three each by BLPL Shipping Line, Evergreen Line, ONE Line, RCL Line andTi2 Container Line, two each by IAL Shipping Line and PIL Line and one each by BAY Line and Land and Sea are slated to enter the Yangon Port. In January, 49 vessels docked at the Yangon Port.

Yangon Port handled 629 container vessels in 2023.Thanks to the draft extension, the international ocean liners can access the inner port for now, according to the Myanma Port Authority’s statement on 22 June 2022. After the new navigation channel (Kings Bank Channel) accessing the inner Yangon River had been found, the draft extension work was accelerated.

After that, the port can now handle larger ships. The container vessel (185.99 m LOA, 35.25 m Beam, 29,232 GRT and 2,698 TEU) Hong Kong-based SITC Shipping Line docked at Asia World Port Terminal for the first time on 22 June, which is the largest ship that AWPT Port handled.

From May 2021, the arrival of ships at terminals in Yangon has increased again. Three new container vessels by Maersk Line Myanmar (SeaLand Maersk) started to run to fulfil the seaborne trade requirements in 2021.

Earlier, the larger ships had draft problems preventing sailing on the Yangon River. With the draft extending up to 10 metres, more giant ocean liners can enter the Thilawa Port.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar National Airlines welcome cargo plane with ceremony

The ceremony to welcome the Boeing 737-800 Freighter aircraft of Myanmar National Airlines was held at Yangon International Airport yesterday afternoon.
The cargo plane, (9M-WCA), Flight No 3G005, departed from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and arrived at Yangon International Airport at 3:25 pm, where officials from Myanmar National Airlines conducted a welcome ceremony.
The aircraft will be used for cargo transport flights of Myanmar National Airlines and will be able to carry about 22 tonnes of cargo, as well as dangerous goods that cannot be transported on regular flights.
Boeing 737-800 Freighter aircraft No 9M-WCA is planned to expand cargo transport flights from Yangon to Southeast Asian countries.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Forty-nine container vessels slated to call in Jan

A total of 49 container vessels are scheduled to dock at the Yangon Port in January 2024, according to the Myanma Port Authority.
In January, seven container vessels each run by Samudera Shipping Line and Sealand Maersk Asia, six by COSCO Shipping Line, five by SITC Line, four each by MSC Line, CMA CGM Line and Ti2 Container Line, three each by ONE Line and RCL Line, two each by Evergreen Line and BLPL Shipping Line, one each by BAY Line and IAI Shipping Line are slated to enter the Yangon Port.
This year, 52 container vessels each in January and February, 55 in March, 50 in April, 56 in May, 57 in June, 53 in July, 54 in August, 53 in September, 49 in October, 50 in November, and 49 in December arrived at Yangon Port, totalling 629 container vessels.
Yangon Port handled a total of 620 container vessels last year. Following the draft extension, the international ocean liners can access the inner port for now, according to the Myanma Port Authority’s statement on 22 June 2022.
After the new navigation channel (Kings Bank Channel) accessing the inner Yangon River was found, the draft extension work was accelerated. After that, the port can now handle larger ships. The container vessel (185.99-metre length overall-LOA, 35.25-metre Beam, 29,232 Gross Register Tonnage-GRT and 2,698 twenty-foot equivalent unit-TEU) Hong-Kong based SITC Shipping Line docked at Asia World Port Terminal for the first time on 22 June, which is the largest ship that AWPT Port handled.
From May 2021, the arrival of the ships at terminals in Yangon has increased again. To fulfill the seaborne trade requirements, three new container vessels by Maersk Line Myanmar (SeaLand Maersk) started to run in 2021. Earlier, the larger ships had draft problems preventing their sailing on the Yangon River. The draft was extended up to 10 metres, so the larger ocean liners could enter the Thilawa Port. 

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

21,697.78 tonnes of cargo and 900 gravel suddles exported from Mandalay Port last week

According to the Mandalay Region Marine Administration Department, 23 cargo vessels were able to export 21,697.78 tonnes of cargo and 900 gravel pits from Mandalay Port to Yangon, Bhamo and other cities during the first week of November.
A total of 23 cargo vessels that exported goods such as millet, cement, coal, and gravel from Mandalay Port to Yangon, Bhamo and other cities were able to export 15,775.58 tonnes of cement, 3,700 tonnes of coal, 2,222.2 tonnes of corn, and 900 suddles of gravel from 1 to 8 November.
Due to the increase in the number of goods to be exported at Mandalay Port, the vessels should not load more than the specified tonnage, and the vessels may be dangerous if they carry goods that are not proportionate to the size of the vessel and travel in the river.
Officials have informed that vessels coming from Mandalay Port must pay attention to the navigational signals that have been erected on the water and on the shore to ensure safe navigation.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Central Committee to enhance exports by overseeing production and logistics

The central committee has to review the work processes being conducted at seaport, airport and border trade camps to revive the trading sector and to amend them if necessary, said Central Committee on Ensuring Smooth Flow of Trade and Goods Chairman State Administration Council Member Union Minister General Mya Tun Oo.
The Union minister said the words during the 1/2023 meeting of the central committee held in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
He also highlighted the instructions of the Prime Minister that it should make efforts to produce the imported basic commodities to meet the country’s needs and to be able to export.
He added that while trying not to face the trade deficit in the State economy, the committee will supervise to promote the production of export goods and export volumes and not prevent suspensions in production and price increases of essential commodities such as medicines and medical supplies, farming products, fuel, cooking oil and so on.
It will also set measures to facilitate the banking system to ensure the official currency flows for trading and supervise the working processes of the working committee to ensure the speedy flow of trading procedures.
He then urged the entrepreneurs, and relevant officials of ports to report their challenges to be solved and scrutinize the insurance information and containers systematically.
Then, the attendees coordinated the discussion and the Union minister concluded the meeting.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar Airways International(MAI) unveils newair cargo services

AS Myanmar Airways International (MAI) runs domestic and international flights to promote Myanmar’s aviation sector, the cargo aircraft is being operated starting from 30 September aiming to connect export/import goods with global trade routes. The cargo aircraft launch ceremony was held at the Terminal-1 Airside of Yangon International Airport yesterday morning.

The ceremony was presented by officials from the Department of Civil Aviation and the Myanmar Airways International. The cargo aircraft of Myanmar Airways International (MAI) is a Boeing 737-300F which can carry all types of goods including large-sized goods and dangerous goods up to 15 tonnes.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Cargo ship initiates direct trade link between Sittway, Rakhine State, and Kolkata, India

Sittway, Rakhine State, is set to establish direct trade relations with Kolkata, India, through the deployment of a cargo ship, according to U Aung Aung, General Secretary of the Rakhine State Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
A recent development permits cargo vessels traversing local coastlines to dock at the Sittway Jetty, a significant component of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project located in Sittway Township.
U Aung Aung elaborated on the current trading scenario in Rakhine State, highlighting that products from various regions within Myanmar are presently exported to Bangladesh via the Maungdaw Kanyinchaung zone and Sittway Shwemingan Port. However, there has been no avenue for exports from Rakhine State to India until now. Consequently, efforts are underway to facilitate the transportation of goods from Sittway to Paletwa via maritime routes as part of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project. Subsequently, goods will be transported from Paletwa to Mizoram, situated on the Myanmar-India border, via land routes.
In order to streamline trade between Rakhine State and Mizoram State, dedicated jetties have been constructed in both Sittway and Paletwa for maritime transport. Furthermore, reports indicate that the construction of the road connecting Mizoram to Chin State has been successfully completed.
The inauguration of the Sittway Jetty within the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project took place on 9 May 2023, with the presence of officials from both India and Myanmar. The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, initiated in 2018 as part of the India-Myanmar Friendship Programme, entails an investment of US$484 million by India.

53 container vessels slated to arrive in Sept

A total of 53 container ships are scheduled to call in September at Yangon Port, according to the Myanma Port Authority.
In September, seven container vessels each run by Samudera Shipping Line and Sealand Maersk Asia, five by COSCO Shipping Line, four each by IAL Line, MSC Line, RCL Line and SITC Line, three each by Evergreen Line and PIL Line, two each by BAY Line and BLPL Shipping Line, one each by CMA CGM Line, Land & Sea Line and Ti2 Container Line are slated to dock at Yangon Port.
This year, 52 container ships each in January and February, 55 in March, 50 in April, 56 in May, 57 in June, 53 in July and 54 in August arrived at Yangon Port.
Yangon Port handled a total of 620 container vessels this year. Following the draft extension, the international ocean liners can access the inner port for now, according to the Myanma Port Authority’s statement on 22 June 2022.
After the new navigation channel (Kings Bank Channel) accessing the inner Yangon River was found, the draft extension work was accelerated. After that, the port can now handle larger ships. The container vessel (185.99-metre LOA, 35.25-metre BOA, 29,232 GRT and 2,698 TEU) Hongkong-based SITC Shipping Line docked at Asia World Port Terminal for the first time on 22 June.
That vessel is the largest ship that AWPT Port handled.
From May 2021, the arrival of the ships at terminals in Yangon has increased again. To fulfil the seaborne trade requirements, three new container vessels by Maersk Line Myanmar (SeaLand Maersk) started to run in 2021.
Earlier, the larger ships had draft problems preventing their sailing on the Yangon River. The draft was extended up to 10 metres, so the larger ocean liners could enter Thilawa Port.
The coast of Myanmar is 2,228 kilometres (1,260 nautical miles) including the Rakhine coastline (713 kilometres), delta region (437 kilometres) and Taninthayi coastline (1,078 kilometres), stretching from northern Bangladesh’s border to southern Thailand’s border area. There are 10 seaports along the coastline, including Yangon Port, Thilawa Deep Seaport, Kyaukphyu Deep Seaport, Sittway Port, Thandwe Port, Pathein Port, Mawlamyine Port, Dawei Deep Seaport, Myeik Port and Kawthoung Port.
Seaborne trade accounts for 75 per cent of foreign trade. However, Yangon Port including Thilawa terminals is the only international port and the remaining ports in eight cities are designated for the domestic way only. 

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Negotiations underway to temporarily waive fines for Myanmar sailors at Brazilian ports

Myanmar’s Ambassador to Brazil U Aung Kyaw Zan engaged in a productive discussion with the chief representative of the cross-border crime department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil yesterday. The central topic of their discussion was centred around the potential exemption of Myanmar seafarers from bearing fines imposed at Brazilian ports, marking a significant step towards fostering stronger bilateral relations.
During their cordial meeting, Ambassador U Aung Kyaw Zan and the head of Brazil’s cross-border crime department explored the possibility of introducing a grace period during which Myanmar sailors disembarking at Brazilian ports without a valid Seafarers Identity Document (SID) would be spared from incurring fines. The ambassador meticulously outlined the strategic mechanisms through which essential consular protection would be extended to these seafarers. The comprehensive discussion included Minister Marcelo Della Nina, who oversees Brazil’s cross-border crime department, and together, they evaluated the practical implementation of these measures.
In addition to this vital initiative, Ambassador U Aung Kyaw Zan also dedicated time to elaborate on Myanmar’s steadfast commitment to combatting human trafficking. He presented a comprehensive overview of the ongoing fourth five-year plan (2022-2026) and elucidated the seamless continuity of pivotal processes to address this issue.
Brazilian regulations stipulate those foreign seafarers, hailing from diverse nations, can access Brazilian ports under specific conditions. Crucially, entry is conditional upon the presentation of a valid SID or a pre-entry visa when the ship arrives. However, instances of seafarers arriving without SID due to various reasons have been a recurring concern, often resulting in unwarranted fines. To mitigate this issue, the ambassador and his counterparts are diligently coordinating to streamline the process of obtaining SIDs. Letters of support are being issued to Myanmar seafarers destined for Brazilian waters, while the Seafarers Division under the Directorate of Marine Administration (DMA/SD), is expediting SID issuance.
Furthermore, the Brazilian Embassy to Myanmar remains steadfastly committed to securing exemptions for Myanmar seafarers from detention or financial penalties and providing unwavering support and assistance to sailors in need, reaffirming the strong ties between Brazil and Myanmar. For seafarers seeking guidance or support, the Brazilian embassy stands ready to extend its helping hand at any juncture.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar