CHATTOGRAM, May 07: The 10th International Seminar for Port State Control Officer began at a local hotel in the port city on Sunday. Commodore Md Nizamul Hoque, the director-general of the Department of Shipping, inaugurated it as the chief guest.
In his speech at the inaugural function, Commodore Nizamul Hoque said that the shipping industry must undergo technological transformation to achieve the target of zero carbon emissions by 2050.
He added that Bangladesh is on the right track as the country is now procuring vessels equipped with the latest technology to ensure environmental compliance.
Commodore Nizamul Hoque said that Bangladesh is now in the second position for maintaining safety, security, and environmental compliance among the 21 nations under the Indian Ocean MoU.
He also said that the country is addressing technological aspects while procuring new vessels and using low-sulphur diesel instead of high-sulphur one to control environmental pollution.
The top shipping official noted that currently Bangladeshi-flagged ships carry only 5 per cent of the total export-import goods, and the rest is done by foreign ships, which drains out a huge amount of US dollars per week.
"If the number of ships can be increased, and cent per cent of cargo can be carried, the shipping industry can contribute US$ 50 billion per year to the economy," he commented.
He expressed hope that the five-day seminar would help the Port State Control Officers of the member nations under the Indian Ocean MoU to develop their skills in ensuring the safety, security, and environmental compliance of oceangoing ships.
The inaugural ceremony was chaired by Captain Md Giashuddin Ahmed, chief nautical surveyor of the Department of Shipping, while Achinta Bivas Dutta, the secretary-general of the Indian Ocean MoU, also addressed the event.
In his speech, Achinta Bivas Dutta said that all 175 members of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) are working together to achieve the target of zero carbon emissions by 2050.
He added that the Port State Control Officers play a vital role in ensuring compliance of vessels moving in the ocean.
It is worth mentioning that Port State Control Officers from 21 nations who are members of the Indian Ocean MoU are participating in the seminar.
nazimuddinshyamol@gmail.com
