Junta seizes cargo ship carrying food to Kyaukphyu

By Admin 05 Sep 2024

DMG Newsroom
5 September 2024, Kyaukphyu

The Myanmar Navy has seized a cargo ship carrying basic foodstuffs to supply-deprived Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State.

The cargo ship carrying 750 tonnes of foodstuffs was intercepted on September 4 in the middle of its journey to Arakan State, according to merchants.

“The Myanmar Navy has seized the cargo ship and the seizure of the cargo ship caused huge losses. If these goods don’t reach Kyaukphyu, it will be very difficult for the locals. Locals face shortages of food due to the junta blockades,” said a female merchant.

Traders say that as recently as early 2024, a ship to transport food from Yangon to Arakan State could be chartered for K70 million, but currently costs up to K140 million.

Residents are suffering from commodity shortages, and traders are having difficulty importing goods due to the junta’s land and water route blockades to Arakan State.

“The cargo ship was seized yesterday. As news of the cargo ship seizure spread, some items are being sold at a higher price in Kyaukphyu today. If goods are out of stock for a long time, people will starve,” said a local woman.

Some consumer goods are being imported by air to Kyaukphyu and Sittwe, which are still controlled by the regime. By paying up to K10,000 for 1 kg of goods by air, traders are having a hard time making shipping profitable.

“When shipping goods by air, the price per kilo is expensive, so merchants order by ship. The cargo ships are often seized by the Myanmar Navy. Some cargo ships were released and some were not. But due to the shortage of goods, traders are taking risks and shipping the goods to Arakan State,” said a local man.

Since November of last year, the regime has imposed a ban on transporting food, medicines and consumer goods into and out of Kyaukphyu Town. The regime has arrested at least 130 people for violating the ban. At least 10 of the detainees were reportedly given sentences ranging from one to three months in prison.