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The Ministry of Shipping has decided to conduct a nationwide shipping census in order to create a comprehensive database in the country, aiming to enhance shipping management capacity and boost revenue generation through registration.
The database will cover all engine-powered vessels operating in Bangladesh's seagoing, coastal, and inland waters, along with barges and non-motorized vessels that rely on mechanical assistance for movement, said a senior official from the Ministry of Shipping.
He stated that the ministry has submitted a proposal titled "Ships Database Management and Capacity Building Project," to the Planning Commission. The project, estimated to cost Tk 430.78 million, will be fully funded by the government exchequer.
The Department of Shipping will conduct the census by December 2027 with the support of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), according to the proposal.
Officials from the Department of Shipping said that the government is losing substantial revenue due to the high number of unregistered vessels, which also poses a threat to maritime safety.
They highlighted that registering all vessels under this initiative would significantly enhance government revenue across six key areas: registration fees, survey fees, income tax, VAT, conservancy fees, and contributions to the Maritime Disaster Welfare Trust Fund.
The project aims to improve the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of the country's water transport system by establishing operational policies for all vessels, reveals the proposal.
It will introduce a digital database for vessel registration and surveys, enhancing regulatory oversight. Ultimately, the initiative seeks to strengthen waterway safety, protect lives and property, and instill discipline in the navigation sector.
The census will cover all upazilas in 64 districts, excluding 21,023 small ships from six districts that have already been recorded in a previous small-scale census.
Many vessels of various sizes operate on Bangladesh's rivers, canals, and other water bodies, but a significant number of them remain without registration and survey certificates.
There is no comprehensive data on inland vessels, making accurate statistics and a control system essential for effective policy planning and the development of this cost-effective transportation network.
Previously, the ministry collected information on approximately 21,000 small watercraft under 20 horsepower from six districts. A web-based database has been developed, and a platform has been set up to register all these watercraft.
In this regard, a meeting was held in the first quarter of 2014 at the Ministry of Shipping to prepare a project for conducting a detailed survey and developing a database. The initiative, however, remained stalled for over a decade.
The project will benefit boat owners by providing legal ownership through registration and survey certificates, allowing them to operate without tolls or restrictions.
They can reclaim stolen vessels, secure mortgage loans, access insurance, and receive government assistance for construction and repairs. Additionally, they can register as legal carriers of goods with various agencies.
Waterway transport is both safe and cost-effective for transportation and communication, said Professor Dr. Md. Shamsul Hoque, Director of the Accident Research Institute (ARI) at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).
He said that it is crucial to establish discipline in the sector to utilize the opportunity of low-cost transportation all over the country.
"I firmly believe that creating a comprehensive database and registering all vessels will be key to ensuring order and proper regulation in this industry," he said.
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