Project set to improve maritime safety, earn foreign currency

The government has taken up a project to improve safety of maritime transportation, which can help earn Tk 200 million per year, Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan said Sunday.  
To achieve the goal, the government has taken GMDSS project that will build four more light houses in the coastal areas of the country.
"We have already three light houses that help us earn Tk 100 million worth of foreign currencies annually. The amount will increase to Tk 200 million equivalent of foreign currencies after completion of four more light houses in different coastal areas under the GMDSS project," he told newsmen at a press briefing at the conference room of the Ministry of Shipping (MoS) on the day.
He said the government took the project of Global Maritime Distress and Safety Services (GDMSS) with an estimated cost of Tk 3.72 billion that will ensure the maritime transportation safety by using satellite communication system.    
The Shipping Minister said the victory of the Bangladeshi candidate as Director General (DG) of International Satellite Organisation (IMSO)-which is under the International Maritime Organisaiton (IMO)-has enhanced the country's images globally.
Besides, it will help protect the country's maritime territory as well as security of maritime vessels and exploration of sea resources.
Earlier, the government on January 12, 2013 had nominated Executive Director (Technology) of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) Captain Moin Ahmed for vying the highest post (DG) of IMSO.  
A total of five countries including Bangladesh, Germany, Italy and Romania contested the election held on November 27, 2014. The voting was conducted in four phases. The Bangladesh candidate bagged 49 votes while Romanian candidate got 37 votes.
Mr Ahmed will serve as DG of IMSO for four years. He will take charge on April 15, 2015. He acquired Master Mariner Certificate from the United Kingdom (UK) and earned master's degree from World Maritime University, at Malmo in Sweden.
IMSO started its journey in 1977 with an aim to ensure security of maritime transportation through satellite communication system. Bangladesh is the member of IMSO since 1993.
The member countries of IMSO are 99. For the last 32 years European representatives had been elected as DG of IMS0.
    talhabinhaib@yahoo.com