Country’s 1st Watercraft Census to be held Aug 20-29

The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) will conduct the country’s first-ever Watercraft Census from August 20 to 29 to create a comprehensive database of engine-driven watercraft for improved planning, policy-making and management of the water transport sector, officials said at an awareness seminar in Rajshahi on Wednesday.

The seminar, organised by the Divisional Statistics Office at the conference room of the Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner’s Office, was attended by Divisional Commissioner Dr. A.N.M. Bazlur Rashid as the chief guest. Professor Dr. Md. Mansur Rahman, Chairman of the Department of Statistics at the University of Rajshahi, and Mohammad Billal Hossain, Police Super of the River Police, Rajshahi Region, attended the programme as special guests.

Md. Abdul Halim, Joint Director of the Divisional Statistics Office, presented the keynote paper outlining the planning, preparation and progress of the Watercraft Census 2026.

Officials said the census, initiated by the Ministry of Shipping and implemented by the BBS, aims to collect detailed information on all engine-driven watercraft operating in the country’s maritime, coastal and inland waters and develop an integrated national database.

The database is expected to support evidence-based development planning, policy formulation, research, vessel management and registration activities in the water transport sector. However, watercraft operated by the Armed Forces and non-motorized traditional boats will remain outside the scope of the census.

The seminar was informed that the census questionnaire and data collection methods will be tested through pilot operations in two districts on August 3 and 4 before the nationwide enumeration begins on August 20.

According to officials, Rajshahi Division has identified a total of 23,587 engine-driven watercraft, including 13,650 operating from ghats and 9,937 household-based vessels.

Addressing the seminar, Dr. Bazlur Rashid said the objective of the country’s first Watercraft Census was not merely to count the number of vessels but to build an accurate and reliable database.

He said such a database would play a vital role in development planning, ensuring safety, formulating policies and improving government services related to the water transport sector.