Security in ships sought to curb piracy
About 90 percent of the country's trade is done through the seaways, yet the sector lacks measures to stop piracy of ships, said speakers at a meeting in the city yesterday.
Marking the World Maritime Day, the meeting was organised by Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers' Association (BMMOA) at Port Training Complex Chittagong.
Also, a key note paper on Piracy: International Maritime Organisation Orchestrating the Response was presented by Dr Sajid Hussain at the event.
Shipping Ministry Secretary Md Abdul Mannan Howlader said deploying gunmen in ships is a probable way to stop piracy in the ocean.
But for some legal barriers it can not be applied for Bangladeshi flag bearer ships, he said adding that the government is thinking over the matter.
The government is planning to establish six more marine academies in the country and has already laid the university foundation of a marine academy in Chittagong, he added.
Commodore Anwarul Islam, chairman of Chittagong Port Authority, said focus should also be bought on the issue of stealing possessions from the port.
He along with Commodore Jobair Ahmad, director of shipping department, addressed the meeting as special guests with Captain Faisal Azim, general secretary of BMMOA, in the chair.
Later, BMMOA rewarded life time achievement awards to CF Zaman, country manager of Germanischer Lloyd, and Sakhawat Hossain, managing director of New Western Marine Shipbuilders, for playing a vital role in ship making and Captain Habibur Rahman, principal officer of Mercantile Marine Department, for his contribution in the shipping sector.
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