South East Asian Trips

Founded in Glasgow, Scotland, the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company, Glasgow, Scotland whose fleet plied the more than 8,000 Km of navigable waters of Myanmar's Ayeyarwady, Chindwin, Thanlwin, Sittang and other rivers during British colonial times, did a very good and profitable business.

Since the rivers were not really used for commercial transport before the British annexed Myanmar Burma into British India the Irrawaddy Flottila Company also somehow functioned as a model for the future development of the river traffic in Myanmar.

When the British launched their second campaign against Myanmar, the East India Company supplied four cargo steamers and a few barges to be used in the war.

After defeating the Myanmar's the British took control of lower Myanmar and established an administration which used these ships and barges for their own purposes. A team of Scots took over the small fleet and established the "Irrawaddy Flotilla Company" in 1865.

Initially the Irrawaddy Flottila company operated from Yangon to Thayetmyo, a garrison town 350 miles away which marked the northern outpost of the British colony.

Recognizing the value to business in lower Myanmar, especially to the agricultural sector, King Mindon granted permission in 1868 to extend; During the reign of King Thibaw, in 1882, the Irrawaddy Flotila company was given the concession to expand operations to the Chindwin River. By 1885 all of Myanmar was under British control and the "Irrawaddy The Thiri Ayayar or Glory of the Irrawady Flotilla Comany in a delta waterwayFlotilla Company" extended their routes to Bhamo. By the time World War II began the company managed a fleet of some 600 vessels.

The "Irrawaddy Flotilla Company" ceased operations by 1948 and the fleet was taken over by the Inland Water Transport Department of the government (IWT). Many of the passenger and cargo vessels are now old and rundown, needing repair or replacement.

Of the 353 mechanically powered vessels, 292 have exceeded their specified serviceable life. In the case of engine-less vessels, 184 of 266 exceeded normal service and 52 of 69 pontoons, piers and jetties had also outlived usual service periods by the end of March 1994.

Older vessels that should have been retired years ago, are gradually being replaced by larger ones bought from China or built locally. In June, 1993 IWT contracted with Yunnan Machinery Import and Export Corporation (YMIEC) to build 14 vessels in China and 28 barges in Myanmar. Three triple-decker and two push-tugs were received from YMIEC in January, 1995 and have been put into service.

Older vessels mainly on the Ayeyarwady - Irrawaddy river that should have been retired years ago, are gradually being replaced by larger ones bought from China or built locally. In June, 1993 IWT contracted with Yunnan Machinery Import and Export Corporation (YMIEC) to build 14 vessels in China and 28 barges in Myanmar. Three triple-decker and two push-tugs were received from YMIEC in January, 1995 and have been put into service.

In line with the policy of building new vessels to upgrade and expand its services the IWT has opened many new routes. In January, 1990, the Yangon-Mandalay Express Service was initiated and increased to three runs a month in July, 1992. A Yangon- Mandalay Market Boat Service on the Ayeyarwady - Irrawaddy river was introduced in March, 1993. Joint ventures with the private sector were formed to operate the Pathein-Yangon service and Mandalay-Bhamo service on the Ayeyarwady - Irrawaddy river and in the delta. By now 10 years later there is no regular service between this cities.