Nationwide Vessel Census 2026 begins tomorrow to create Bangladesh’s first comprehensive vessel database. Photo : BSS

KHULNA, Aug 19, 2026 (BSS) - A nationwide vessel census will be conducted for the first time in Bangladesh from August 20 to 29 to create a comprehensive database of all engine-powered vessels operating in the country's maritime, coastal and inland waterways.

The Department of Shipping and Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) are jointly conducting the Vessel Census 2026 under the theme "Let us make the vessel census a success, build a prosperous Bangladesh".

A colourful procession was brought out in Khulna this morning to mark the census.

Deputy Director of Local Government Md Ariful Islam inaugurated the procession on the premises of the Khulna Deputy Commissioner's Office.

The District Statistics Office organised the procession with assistance from the district administration.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Bitaan Kumar Mondal, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) Kaniz Fatema Liza, Deputy Director (acting) of the District Statistics Office Md Ayub Hossain, officials of government and private offices, teachers and students of educational institutions and other stakeholders participated in the procession.

The procession started from the Deputy Commissioner's Office premises, passed through Jail Ghat and different city roads, and ended at the District Statistics Office.

The census aims to establish an integrated database of vessels to improve safety in the shipping sector, reduce accidents and support the development of the living standards of people engaged in the sector and the overall water transport system.

The census will cover all engine-powered vessels operating in maritime, coastal and inland waters, as well as vessels that are not engine-powered but are towed or pushed by other mechanically powered vessels.

Officials said the database would help ensure reliable statistical information for policymaking and planning in the shipping sector, as there is currently no dependable statistics on inland vessels available with government or private organisations.

The database will also facilitate effective measures to ensure vessel safety and reduce accidents, while helping authorities quickly identify genuine victims of accidents and provide financial and other necessary assistance transparently.

It will also support skill-development training for seafarers and help formulate policies and plans for the development of the country's water transport system.

The database prepared through the census is expected to be used as national data by different government and other agencies.