By Nyein Nyein
Cargo will be transported for a fee on the third Yangon-Cocokyun ferry trip, said U Hla Aung, joint secretary of the Yangon Region Transport Authority (YRTA) at a press conference held on 11 March.
“On the first and second trips of the Yangon-Cocokyun ferry, cargo loads were transported for free. This time, the loads will be charged at a reasonable rate,” he said.
“Collection of fees for cargo loads is part of our job. The charges will be levied depending on the type of industry and will be adapted according to the rates levied for other transport modes,” said U Hla Aung.
“Earlier, a private enterprise — the Myanmar Five Star Line Company — had been allowed to provide ferry services to the Cocokyun Township and it charged K20,000 per ton of load. However, as some goods are local products meant to be sold in other markets, the rate will be set at a reasonable price,” he said.
The YRTA is offering the Yangon-Cocokyun ferry service at a cost of K20 million to provide transport to locals and assigned government staff.
“The YRTA is operating the free ferry service between Yangon and Cocokyun, with an allocation of K20 million from its funds, to benefit locals and assigned government personnel,” said Yangon Region Chief Minister and YRTA chairman U Phyo Min Thein.
The YRTA has signed the Thuriya Sandar Win Company for operating the Yangon-Cocokyun round trip, which takes six days (80 hours) to complete. The ferry can accommodate 60 people on board, including 20 crew, and has sleeping accommodation for about 24 people. The ship’s load capacity is estimated at 300 tons.
The Yangon-Cocokyun ferry service is being operated once a month. The ferry ran the first time on 21 January and the second time on 7 March. (Translated by Ei Myat Mon)
