Shweata Mishra

The efficiency of the import and export processes is determined by the logistics policy of a State. With a coherent system among the logistics, import and export sectors, dominating the product delivery process, will consistently increase the turn-up profit for a State.

In the last two decades, the inland maritime accidents have accelerated in the country and over six thousand people have lost their lives, were injured, or went missing in such accidents. By the beginning of 2022, several accidents have already occurred and over 50 people have lost their lives.

The new Act seeks to amend the Territorial Waters and Maritime Zones Act 1974. The provisions of the 1974 Act were not coherent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and were proposed to be amended since the UNCLOS 1982 entered into force later.

International trade largely depends upon the shipping industry. Around ninety percent of traded goods are transported around the world through sea.

As a riverine country, Bangladesh has a long history of shipbuilding. Chattogram which is known as the port city of Bangladesh, has been involved in building of ships since the Mughal empire and with the flow of time, the tradition continues.

Keeping pace with the increasing trend of the global trade and economy, Bangladesh’s trade policy is evolving.

The Ports of Bangladesh face severe congestion every year between the months of April and October. This year, the ongoing Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh has begun to impact the maritime industry, particularly port yards, causing major cargo congestion.

On May 9, 2020, the President of Bangladesh, while the Parliament was not in session, by exercising jurisdiction under Article 93(1) of the Constitution of Bangladesh promulgated Adalat Kartrik Tottho-Projukti Bebohar Ordinance, 2020 (Use of Information communication technology by court Ordinance, 2020).