CHATTOGRAM, Nov 2: The long-standing problem with lighter vessels transporting cargo in Chattogram Port's outer anchorage, as well as 34 naval channels across the country, have been resolved.
A meeting of three shipowners' associations, the Inland Vessel Owners' Association of Chittagong, the Bangladesh Cargo Vessel Owners Association, and the Coastal Vessel Owners' Association, met on Friday at a city hotel, reached a unanimous decision.
As per decision, lighter vessels from Chattogram Port to all 34 naval routes in the country will operate in accordance with the serial token provided by the newly-formed regulator, Bangladesh Water Transport Co-ordination Cell (BWTCC), from November 4.
In this connection, a tripartite agreement signed between three shipowners' associations on the day.
The meeting further formed a nine-member committee from the three associations to monitor functioning of the regulator, the BWTCC.
The tripartite agreement was signed by Bangladesh Cargo Vessel Owners' Association President Sayeed Ahmed, General Secretary Engr Mehebub Kabir, Coastal Vessel Owners Association Chairman Engr Mehebub Kabir, General Secretary Khurshid Alam, and Inland Vessel Owners' Association President Shafiq Ahmed, and Acting General Secretary Azizur Rahman.
The nine-member committee with Cargo Vessel Owners Association President Sayeed Ahmed as convener will oversee the overall activities of the BWTCC until June 2025.
Leaders of the associations said fares for vessels will be determined by taking into account the current state of vessel owners and the costs associated with imports.
Earlier, until 2023, lighter vessels from Chattogram Port to other naval routes operated in compliance with the serial numbers issued from the Water Transport Cell (WTC). The cell used to control around 1,300 vessels.
This year, the BWTCC has been formed in light of a new policy issued by the Ministry of Shipping on October 15, titled "Goods Transport Policy at Bangladesh Seaport 2024", which enforces compliance with the serials distributed by the BWTCC.
