Unload goods by 3 days after reaching jetty or face action: Shipping adviser to lighter ships

Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain today (3 February) warned of taking tough action if any lighter ship fails to unload goods within three days of reaching the wharf.

He came up with this directive today in an inter-ministerial meeting at the Shipping Ministry's meeting room to resolve various crises of lighter ships engaged in transporting goods from mother vessels.

The adviser directed the Director General of the Department of Shipping to prepare a list of all importers and product agents who are not unloading goods from lighter ships on time.

He also directed the Ministry of Commerce to publish the list in the media and to cancel the licenses of the responsible individuals or organisations.

Noting that the demand for consumer goods in the domestic market has increased significantly due to the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, Sakhawat Hussain said that as a result, the number of mother vessels carrying goods at Chittagong port in January is higher than usual. 

"Meanwhile, some unscrupulous traders are using lighter vessels as floating warehouses to increase the price of goods, focusing on the upcoming Ramadan. This has been creating an artificial shortage of lighter vessels to unload goods from mother vessels," the adviser mentioned.

The Department of Shipping has already formed three special task forces to resolve the lighter vessel crisis. All these task forces are regularly conducting operations in Narayanganj, Jashore, Noapara and other important waterways of the country, including mobile courts.

The adviser said significant progress has already been made in the situation in view of the operation of the task force, and it has been possible to supply a total of 735 lighter vessels to mother vessels at outer anchorages from the BIWTC (Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation).

Sakhawat said the Lighter Vessel Management Software (App), equipped with modern information technology, was launched on 30 January 2026, to bring transparency and discipline to lighter ship management.

"If this software is used on ships, it will be possible to track ships around the clock," the shipping adviser added.

Referring to the inspection of authorities concerned since 15 January, the adviser said this task force has been conducting regular, strict operations in Shitalakshya and Dhaleshwari in Narayanganj, Buriganga in Dhaka, Meghna in Munshiganj, Ashuganj in Brahmanbaria, Karnaphuli in Chattogram and Bhairab River in Noapara in Jashore.

"A total of 455 lighter ships have been closely inspected by the task force during the operation. 13 ships have been fined Tk115,000, and a case has been filed against two organisations for waiting for more than 40 days with food products at the outer anchorage," he added.

The shipping adviser said the task force's vigilance regarding this is ongoing and will continue.

Shipping Ministry Secretary Dr Nurunnahar Chowdhury and heads of various departments and organisations were present there.