Assam river port comes alive after 70 years as methanol-laden barge sails for Dhaka

way2barak, October 6: In a historic milestone for Assam, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, today flagged off the first international cargo vessel carrying methanol from Dibrugarh to Bangladesh, marking the revival of the Brahmaputra as a global trade route after nearly 80 years. The initiative opens a direct, greener, and cost-effective trade corridor for the Northeast.

A new chapter in India’s inland waterways sector began today as a consignment of methanol set sail from the Bogibeel Terminal in Dibrugarh for Pangaon Port in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Flagging off the maiden international cargo voyage, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal expressed confidence that the terminal would usher in significant economic growth for the region. He announced that the Government will establish a new Skill Development Centre for the shipping sector at Bogibeel terminal with an investment of ₹200 crore.

The Centre is expected to train 50,000 youths from Assam and the Northeast over the next ten years, equipping them for employment opportunities in the maritime and shipping industry. Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma joined the flag-off ceremony virtually.

The methanol consignment, produced by Assam Petro-Chemicals Limited will travel through the Brahmaputra, designated as National Waterway-2, and the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route. The new waterway link is expected to substantially reduce logistics costs for industries in Assam, ease pressure on road transportation, strengthen economic connectivity with Bangladesh, and generate new employment opportunities across the region.