A new ship for Bangladesh Navy "BNS Somudra Avijan" arrived at Chittagong Naval Base the USA yesterday, and was welcomed there by navy high officials including Rear Admiral Akhter Habib.

The ship, a cutter,  had started its journey on November 16, 1968 under the US Coast Guard and, was decommissioned on February 3 this year. It was handed over to Bangladesh Navy on May 5 this year and has been added to the 9th frigate squadron. Capt M Wasim Maksud, commander of the ship, said it would be used for patrolling the country's maritime boundary. . A total of 178 navy personnel, including 21 officers, took training in the US in three phases this year in operating the ship.