Yangon mulls construction of sea port at river
Source: Myanmar Times
Date: 3 April 2018
Photo- Google
Plans to build an international sea port at the mouth of the Yangon River, which will be strategic for Myanmar and its neighbours, are underway, Yangon Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein said yesterday at the meeting with Vice President held at Republic of Myanmar Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industries (UMFCCI).
"Singapore has not much production. But as it is a hub for the flow of goods, having a port and related supply chain has helped the nation's economic development. For the same reasons, plans are being discussed to develop a sea port at the mouth of the Yangon River," U Phyo Min Thein said.
The current Yangon port is the most developed one among the nine ports in Myanmar and 90pc of local businesses use it to transport goods.
Currently, most ports in Yangon are internal river ports. The only open sea port is being developed in Thilawa. Thus, more ports with strategic open sea access are required for the nation to develop, U Phyo Min Thein said.
In other countries, ports usually expand to accommodate the additional demands of the economy. But in Myanmar, most ports still exist from the British colonial era. In the meantime, traffic congestion is getting worse within the city.
"As such, a modern port with the appropriate supply chain and facilities in the city to support port expansion is needed," he added.
"If the flow of goods flow within the economic corridor between China and Myanmar can be put in order, our country can benefit much from that flow," he said.
He added developing Yangon's position as a port city as well as the necessary hinterland logistics and transportation networks to connect the landlocked provinces with the sea port is necessary for the economy to grow further.
