The Bangladesh government has launched a project under which it will procure 20 dredgers for its Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA).
The procurement of the dredgers and equipment is in response to the “Feasibility Study of Capital Dredging and Sustainable River Management in Bangladesh (FSCD & SRMB). The study suggests acquisition of some 216 cutter suction dredgers for maintaining smooth waterways communication.
BIWTA and the Shipping Ministry plan to implement the project by December 2019.
According to minister A H M Mustafa Kamal, some 10 dredgers will be acquired in the first two years while the remaining 10 dredgers in the last two years of the project.
Currently, BIWTA has 18 dredgers with three more to be procured by end of this year increasing the number to 21 dredgers.