Bangladesh plans nationwide count of vessels from Aug. 20 to 29

Bangladesh will conduct its first nationwide vessel census from Aug. 20 to 29 as part of an effort to build a safer and more efficient inland water transport system.

The Ministry of Shipping will lead the Vessel Census 2026 with cooperation from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.

State minister for planning Md. Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki said reliable statistics are essential for policymaking and development planning.

“Accurate statistics have no alternative for ensuring the country’s socio-economic development and adopting effective plans,” Saki said.

He instructed census officials to maintain professionalism, transparency and neutrality and warned that manipulation or irregularities could result in departmental and legal action.

Officials said the census will collect comprehensive information on vessels and related activities. Coordinators at divisional, district and upazila levels are being trained ahead of nationwide data collection.