CHITAGONG: In a major breakthrough to the country’s shipbuilding industry, government has approved primary registration to the 1st-ever domestic-built self-propelled liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrying barge recently.

Radiant Shipyard Limited, a subsidiary of Radiant Marine Design and Services Limited, built the LPG tanker dubbed as “MT Omera Princess’ for Omera Petroleum limited, a sister concern of MJL Bangladesh Limited, at a shipyard in Rupganj of Narayanganj.

The final registration will be given to the gas carrier following payment of custom duties and completion of other formalities.

Meanwhile, Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), Chittagong has issue a temporary pass to the vessel to carry out its function.

MMD’s Principal Officer Shafiqul Islam told banglanews that through building of the 1st-ever LPG carrier in Bangladesh, the country’s shipbuilding industry moved one step ahead.

The ship, 3.50 meter deep shallow water draft, has 58.60 meter in length and 10.20 meter in width and the capacity to carry 300 metric tonnes of LPG, Shafiqul added.

The Bangladesh national flag carrying barge will ship and discharge LPG in bulk to LPG filling plants across the country.

BDST: 1210 HRS, DEC 04, 2014