SPM Bangkok, the fifth vessel carrying Japan-made 82 feet long railway tracks to be used in Yangon-Mandalay railroad upgrading project, arrived at Sule Port in Yangon from Japan on September 16, according to Myanma Railways (MR).  

The ship carried 2,310 railway tracks weighing 2,910 tons which were unloaded at about 8 pm and they will be transported by train to the project site.

Other two vessels namely Istoyra and Cosmic Tiger carrying railway tracks already arrived at Sule Port on August 10 and 11 respectively.

Istoyra carried 2,874 tons of railway tracks, which would be transported 22 times.

"It (SPM Bangkok) was the fifth vessel that arrived in Yangon carrying railway tracks. They will be transported by train to the project site," said an official from MR.

Those railway tracks purchased from Japan will be transported from Sule Port to Ywathagyi dry port and then to Yangon-Toungoo railroad section.

The Yangon-Mandalay railroad upgrading project has two phases. Phase-1 is 166 miles from Yangon to Toungoo while Phase-2 is 219.5 miles from Toungoo to Mandalay.

Project Phase-1 will start on October 1.

As contractors will be allowed window time, the number of trains will be reduced along the route.