Adviser to Ministries of Shipping and Labor and Employment Brig Gen (retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain spoke at the inaugural ceremony of the “Maritime Safety Week 2025” at Krishibid Institution Auditorium in Dhaka today. Photo : PID

DHAKA, May 7, 2025 (BSS) - Adviser to Ministries of Shipping and Labor and Employment Brig Gen (retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain today said the government remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the country’s inland waterways.

The Ministry of Shipping has already implemented various initiatives aimed at strengthening maritime safety, he said while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the “Maritime Safety Week 2025” organized by Department of Shipping in the capital’s Krishibid Institution Auditorium, said a ministry press release.

Mentioning that regular campaigns are being conducted to stop the movement of vessels without fitness, the adviser said additionally, authorities have been instructed to rigorously oversee the issuance and renewal of route permits and licenses for all vessels to uphold safety standards. 

He said vessel owners have been cautioned against overloading with extra passengers or goods, while bulkhead movement has been halted during nighttime.

Highlighting that BIWTA is carrying out regular dredging activities to sustain the river’s navigability, Sakhawat said that special patrols by law enforcement agencies have been deployed in crime-prone areas to enhance waterway security.

In addition, mobile courts are being conducted regularly, and authorities have been directed to put an end to extortion at the ghats, he added.

Referring to the country’s four seaports, including one deep-sea port, the adviser also said, upon taking office, the current government promptly initiated efforts to extend waterways to remote areas. 

At present, 80 percent of goods are transported via waterways, and direct ferry services have already been introduced in Sandwip and Maheshkhali, he said.

Stating that Bangladesh Shipping Corporation is playing an important role in increasing international maritime trade by sea, Sakhawat said that initiatives have been taken to purchase four ships to increase international maritime trade, which will pave the way for more employment and foreign exchange earnings. 

The government has plans to purchase LPG container ships, he revealed.

The Department of Shipping is celebrating a week-long Maritime Safety Week from today to May 13 with the aim of ensuring the safety of passengers and goods transporting vessels as well as increasing awareness. 

The theme of this year's Maritime Safety Week 2025 is “Pollution-free Rivers and Safe Vessels; Healthy Environment, and Protection of Lives”.

In the inaugural ceremony, with Director General of the Department of Shipping Commodore Mohammad Maksud Alam in the chair, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping Mohammed Yousuf also spoke as special guest.