Shipping minister says all inland vessels must be registered digitally

Minister Razib says water transport across the country is operating normally despite the national fuel crunch

All vessels in the country will be brought under digital registration to make inland waterways safer, says Shipping and Bridge State Minister Md Razib Ahsan.

He also said a comprehensive policy will be prepared to ensure proper registration and operation of vessels, and to bring discipline in the waterways.

He made the remarks on Sunday at a meeting held at the Department of Shipping headquarters in Agargaon, on resolving fuel shortages for lighter vessels carrying goods.

Razib said there is currently no fuel shortage for passenger and cargo vessels, and water transport is operating normally.

However, steps are being taken to deal with any possible future fuel crisis, he added.

As part of this plan, a coordination cell will be formed to ensure continuous fuel supply to vessels, and meetings will also be held with fuel suppliers.

He urged all vessel operators to follow the law and said everyone must be careful and avoid waste, given the global energy crisis.

He added that illegal fuel stockpiling or misuse will not be allowed, and the government is committed to keeping water transport safe and running smoothly.