Unregistered vessels

Govt losing Tk 400cr

Despite repeated attempts to register speedboats, sand carriers, bulkheads, trawlers and fishing boats, the Department of Shipping (DoS) has failed to do so due to interference of local politicians.
At least 500 speedboats in Mawa and around one lakh sand carriers, bulkheads, trawlers and fishing boats are plying across the country without registration, DoS sources said.
As a result, the government has been losing revenue to the tune of Tk. 400 crore every year as registration fees for one lakh bulkheads and Tk. 1.25 crore for 500 speedboats for long.
According to the sources, at least Tk. 25,000 is needed to register a speedboat and Tk. 40,000 per bulkhead, including survey fees. 
Besides, every speedboat carrying 12 passengers has to pay Tk. 5,000 annually as renewal fee, while every bulkhead owner has to pay Tk. 10,000 each year.
“We've requested the local administration to list such unregistered speedboats. The DoS has taken the issue very seriously,” Commodore M Zakiur Rahman Bhuiyan, director general of the DoS, told The Independent.
Bhuiyan admitted that the DoS has failed to complete the registration of such vessels due to some problems. “We've taken an initiative to conduct a countrywide census of small water vessels, including bulkheads. We hope that the census will begin in the 2016-17 fiscal year after approval of the project,” he said.
He also said his department does not have the adequate manpower to conduct the census of the huge number of unregistered vessels in the country.
Admitting to revenue loss, the DoS chief said, “It's true. But we need logistical support, including more manpower, to expedite our activities.”
“Vessels owners would have to pay the fees. We'll fix the fees after discussion with ship owners and the DoS is working in this regard,” he added.
According to sources, it would be impossible to implement the project without political cooperation from the local level.
They said a section of local politicians back the owners of speedboats and other small vessels, creating problems to register such boats. As a result, around one lakh vessels have been operating illegally and without safety equipment, they added.
According to DoS, a total of 10,443 vessels were registered from 1952 till December 2015. These include 892 passenger launches, 3,470 cargo vessels, 4,044 bulkheads,256 oil tankers, 115 goods carrier and 242 speedboats.

Unregistered vessels

Govt losing Tk 400cr

Despite repeated attempts to register speedboats, sand carriers, bulkheads, trawlers and fishing boats, the Department of Shipping (DoS) has failed to do so due to interference of local politicians. At least 500 speedboats in Mawa and around one lakh sand carriers, bulkheads, trawlers and fishing boats are plying across the country without registration, DoS sources said. As a result, the government has been losing revenue to the tune of Tk. 400 crore every year as registration fees for one lakh bulkheads and Tk. 1.25 crore for 500 speedboats for long. According to the sources, at least Tk. 25,000 is needed to register a speedboat and Tk. 40,000 per bulkhead, including survey fees. Besides, every speedboat carrying 12 passengers has to pay Tk. 5,000 annually as renewal fee, while every bulkhead owner has to pay Tk. 10,000 each year. Weve requested the local administration to list such unregistered speedboats. The DoS has taken the issue very seriously, Commodore M Zakiur Rahman Bhuiyan, director general of the DoS, told The Independent. Bhuiyan admitted that the DoS has failed to complete the registration of such vessels due to some problems. Weve taken an initiative to conduct a countrywide census of small water vessels, including bulkheads. We hope that the census will begin in the 2016-17 fiscal year after approval of the project, he said. He also said his department does not have the adequate manpower to conduct the census of the huge number of unregistered vessels in the country. Admitting to revenue loss, the DoS chief said, Its true. But we need logistical support, including more manpower, to expedite our activities. Vessels owners would have to pay the fees. Well fix the fees after discussion with ship owners and the DoS is working in this regard, he added. According to sources, it would be impossible to implement the project without political cooperation from the local level. They said a section of local politicians back the owners of speedboats and other small vessels, creating problems to register such boats. As a result, around one lakh vessels have been operating illegally and without safety equipment, they added. According to DoS, a total of 10,443 vessels were registered from 1952 till December 2015. These include 892 passenger launches, 3,470 cargo vessels, 4,044 bulkheads,256 oil tankers, 115 goods carrier and 242 speedboats.