Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (retd) Dr. M Sakhawat Hossain said, Necessary initiatives have been taken to resolve the complications caused in the transportation of goods through the country’s rivers. 80% of the country’s imported and exported products are transported by sea at low cost.

This sector has an important role in the country’s economy. To take the shipping industry forward, the so-called middleman syndicates in shipping goods by sea will be broken. For this purpose, the Goods Transport Policy, 2024 will be issued by the Ministry of Shipping as soon as possible. At the same time, proper implementation of this policy will also be ensured.

He said these things in a meeting with the delegation of Bangladesh Cargo Vessel Owners Association at the Ministry of Shipping on Tuesday (October 15, 2024 AD). Pointing out that the current government is committed to the development and protection of the shipping industry, the advisor said that all the systems of the country have broken down during the last 15 years of rule.

The shipping sector has not been spared. Some unscrupulous businessmen have misused their power through syndicates and created anarchy in the shipping sector by breaking the long established serial customs and transporting goods unilaterally. At this time, he expressed hope for the solution of the existing problems in the maritime sector including the port as soon as possible.

Regarding unfit vessels on waterways, he said, legal action will be taken against unfit vessels. If necessary, the Coast Guard will be instructed to conduct operations against these vessels. he representatives of Bangladesh Cargo Vessel Owners Association requested the Shipping Advisor to issue and implement the Goods Transport Policy, 2024 at the earliest.

They expressed their hope A new horizon will be ushered in the maritime sector with the coordinated initiative of all port authorities including the Directorate of Shipping under the Ministry of Shipping. Secretary of Shipping Ministry (Routine Duties) Delwara Begum, President of Bangladesh Cargo Vessel Owners Association Saeed Ahmed and other leaders were present in the meeting.