Photo: BSS

KHULNA, Aug 4, 2026 (BSS) – A district-level awareness meeting on the upcoming Vessels Census 2026 was held in Khulna today ahead of the country's first-ever nationwide census of motorised vessels.

The meeting, organised at the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner's office, was attended by Deputy Commissioner Hoore Jannat as the chief guest.

The nationwide census, scheduled for August 20-29, will be jointly conducted by the Department of Shipping and the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) to develop a comprehensive database of vessels operating in the country's maritime, coastal and inland waterways.

Speaking at the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner said BBS has been playing a vital role in conducting national censuses and surveys.

She said the boat census would help identify the risks, challenges and actual conditions of fishermen and water transport workers, urging all concerned to provide accurate information for the success of the initiative.

The meeting, chaired by Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Bitan Kumar Mondal, featured a keynote presentation by Acting Deputy Director of the District Statistics Office Md Ayub Hossain.

Officials from government and private organisations, representatives of vessel owners' groups, tour operators' associations and other stakeholders attended the programme.

The theme of this year's census is "Let's Make the Vessels Census Successful, Build a Prosperous Bangladesh."
According to the organisers, the census aims to prepare a reliable national database of all motorised vessels as well as non-motorised vessels operated by towing or pushing through mechanised means.

The database will support policy formulation, improve navigation safety, reduce accidents, facilitate quick identification of genuine victims following waterway accidents, ensure transparent distribution of financial assistance, enhance training for boat operators and workers, and strengthen planning and development in the country's inland water transport sector.