Bangladesh graduated to a new status as ocean-going vessels maker through the handover of the second such a ship to a Danish buyer at a ceremony in Chittagong yesterday.

Michael Sorensen, country manager for Stella Shipping, who bought Stella Moon of 2,900DWT (dead weight tonnage) capacity for $8.2 million, received the ship from Abdullahel Bari, chairman of Ananda Shipyard and Slipways Ltd, the private company that made the vessel.

Ananda Shipyard had earlier sold another oceangoing vessel to the same Danish firm on May 15,2008 and six vessels to Mozambique on November 13,2008.

Held at Chittagong Dry Dock Limited, the handover ceremony was also addressed by the shipping minister who was upbeat on the country's future prospect in such ship exports and made an assurance of government's more support forthe industry's growth.

“The government attaches importance to the industry as it creates huge job opportunities and income, which can help Bangladesh to lift itself to the status of a middle-income country," Shajahan Khan told the function.

The minister also mentioned that the industry now enjoys some benefits which include 5 percent cash incentives for exports, duty-free bonded facilities for importing raw materials and green channel facility to offload those directly at shipyards.

Local AL lawmaker MA Latif, Shipping Secretary Md Abdul Mannan Hawlader and Chittagong Dry Dock Managing Director Enamul Baqui also spoke on the occasion.

Ananda Shipyard has already bagged export orders for 28 more ships — with a total contract value of $454.6 million or Tk 3,182 crore, according to the company officials.