Khalid seeks ship owners’ help to continue food, goods transportation

NEWS DESK 

State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury today sought cooperation of the owners of cargo vessels and container ships to keep on the transportation of food and goods through the waterways.

“The government is trying its best to keep the naval routes in operation to maintain the transportation chain of food and goods. I seek cooperation from the owners of cargo vessels and container ships in this regard,” he said.

The state minister sought the cooperation at a meeting with representatives of the Cargo Vessel Owners’ Association on cargo handling amid the coronavirus situation at his office in the Secretariat here, said a press release.

Noting that the lives of the cargo workers should not be exposed to threats, Khalid said, “Owners of cargo vessels will look after the safety of workers. We will look after the issues of the cargo owners”.

Goods transportation will continue through the inland waterways with the help of cargo vessel owners, container ship owners and River Police, he said, adding, “Life will not remain halted. Lifestyle should be changed. Many changes took place in leading our lives in the last one month”.

Speaking about the incentives for the cargo owners, the state minister said he will inform the government about the incentive for cargo owners.

Shipping Secretary Mohammad Mesbah Uddin Chowdhury, Shipping Department Director General Commodore Syed Ariful Islam, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Chairman Commodore Golam Sadeq, Cargo Vessel Owners’ Association President Iqbal Hossain and General Secretary Nurul Haque, and Container Ship Owners’ Association Vice-President Sheikh Mahfuz Hamid and DIG of River Police Atiqur Rahman joined the meeting, among others.