Coast Guard may get two inshore patrol vessels

The government has taken a move to procure two inshore patrol vessels (IPVs) as part of a project worth Tk 4.45 billion for modernisation of Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG), officials said.
They said proposal in this regard is expected to be placed before the cabinet committee on public purchase this week.
Earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) sent the proposal to the cabinet division, seeking the cabinet body approval.
The executive committee of the national economic council (ECNEC) had approved the Tk 4.45 billion project titled "strengthening and capacity building of BCG" on July 22 last year, followed by the administrative approval on September 5 last year, to protect the country's maritime resources.
Apart from purchasing the two IPVs, the BCG was also considering to procure two tugs, two high-speed boats (big size) and two high-speed boats (medium size).
Khulna Shipyard Ltd and Dockyard and Engineers Works Ltd are likely to build and supply the two IPVs.
"Commissioning of the two IPVs will help strengthen the coast guard's capacity to curb smuggling in the sea and protect maritime resources," a high official of the MoHA told the FE.  
The BCG came into being on February 14, 1995 and started operational activities with two patrol crafts received from Bangladesh Navy.
    talhabinhabib@yahoo.com