BIWTC set to receive 18 new vessels from September: Adviser Sakhawat
Although delivery was initially scheduled to begin in March, certain complications caused delays, says the adviser
Construction of 18 Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC)-commissioned vessels at the Three Angle Shipyard in Gazaria has reached 90% completion, with deliveries expected to begin in September, said Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain, adviser to the Ministry of Shipping and the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, today (4 August).
"I came to observe the current status. Although delivery was initially scheduled to begin in March, certain complications caused delays," he told journalists during an inspection visit to the shipyard's Nayanagar facility.
When asked about unauthorised sand mining in the Meghna River and regulatory violations by licensed sand operators, Sakhawat stated: "I am aware of the matter, but I would advise you to speak with the deputy commissioner."
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In response to a query regarding Bangladesh's capacity to manufacture military-grade naval vessels, he added, "I am not in a position to answer that."
Engineer Aminul Islam, managing director of Three Angle Shipyard, confirmed that preparations for delivery are progressing.
"We expect to begin the handover between November and December. The vessels will be delivered in phases and will include 6 ferries, 2 fire-fighting tugboats, 2 coastal oil tankers, 4 coastal sea trucks, 3 modern inland passenger vessels, and 1 inspection boat," he said.
Sakhawat Hossain was accompanied by Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, adviser to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.
Also present during the visit were BIWTC Chairman Md Salim Ullah; Project Director and Chief Engineer Ziaul Islam; Munshiganj Deputy Commissioner Fatema-tuz-Zohra; Superintendent of Police Muhammad Shamsul Alam Sarkar; Gazaria Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Ashraful Alam; and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Hamida Mustafa.
