Shipping minister promises safe journey during Eid

No unfit launch to be allowed to carry passengers

The government will not allow any unfit launch to carry passengers during the Eid holidays, said shipping minister Shajahan Khan yesterday. “The ministry has decided that it will not allow any unfit launch to carry passengers,” he told reporters after the signing ceremony of the Annual Performance Agreement with 10 departments held at the Secretariat. Khan also announced a ban on unfit launches for travelling during the Eid vacation. “There was no discipline in the shipping sector. Vessel contractors did not follow rules while making vessels. This usually resulted in frequent shipping-related accidents," said the minister. “We've recently issued some instructions with regard to the construction of ships. They now need approval for a ship’s design. We don't allow some vessels to go directly into operation because of some faults in construction,” the minister said in reply to another query.
“Fixing dents and painting and renovation of vessels are a legal process. We don't give fitness certificates to vessels without these,” he said.
The government is keeping an eye on unfit launches and overloading to protect passengers during the Eid vacation, he said, adding, “We'll deploy additional security personnel to ensure safety on the country's waterways.”
“We enjoy the Eid holidays, but our officials cannot enjoy the vacation with their family members. They have a busy time protecting passengers’ interests when all people enjoy the Eid festival,” he told reporters.
The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) and private launch owners have jointly started a special service from July 1, the minister said. “There will be magistrates, police officers and other officials to prevent overloading. Initiatives have been taken to preclude any unwanted situation,” he added.
Later, the Annual Performance Agreement was signed between 10 departments and the shipping ministry. The departments are: Chittagong Port Authority, Mongla Port Authority, Bangladesh Shipping Corporation, BIWTA, BIWTC, Department of Shipping, Land Port Authority, Marine Academy, Maritime Institute and Paira Port Authority. Shipping secretary Ashok Madhab Roy and the heads of the 10 departments signed the agreement.

Shipping minister promises safe journey during Eid

No unfit launch to be allowed to carry passengers

The government will not allow any unfit launch to carry passengers during the Eid holidays, said shipping minister Shajahan Khan yesterday. The ministry has decided that it will not allow any unfit launch to carry passengers, he told reporters after the signing ceremony of the Annual Performance Agreement with 10 departments held at the Secretariat. Khan also announced a ban on unfit launches for travelling during the Eid vacation. There was no discipline in the shipping sector. Vessel contractors did not follow rules while making vessels. This usually resulted in frequent shipping-related accidents, said the minister. Weve recently issued some instructions with regard to the construction of ships. They now need approval for a ships design. We dont allow some vessels to go directly into operation because of some faults in construction, the minister said in reply to another query. Fixing dents and painting and renovation of vessels are a legal process. We dont give fitness certificates to vessels without these, he said. The government is keeping an eye on unfit launches and overloading to protect passengers during the Eid vacation, he said, adding, Well deploy additional security personnel to ensure safety on the countrys waterways. We enjoy the Eid holidays, but our officials cannot enjoy the vacation with their family members. They have a busy time protecting passengers interests when all people enjoy the Eid festival, he told reporters. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) and private launch owners have jointly started a special service from July 1, the minister said. There will be magistrates, police officers and other officials to prevent overloading. Initiatives have been taken to preclude any unwanted situation, he added. Later, the Annual Performance Agreement was signed between 10 departments and the shipping ministry. The departments are: Chittagong Port Authority, Mongla Port Authority, Bangladesh Shipping Corporation, BIWTA, BIWTC, Department of Shipping, Land Port Authority, Marine Academy, Maritime Institute and Paira Port Authority. Shipping secretary Ashok Madhab Roy and the heads of the 10 departments signed the agreement.