Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (abbr. BIWTC, Bengali: বাংলাদেশ অভ্যন্তরীণ নৌ-পরিবহন কর্পোরেশন),^[1] is a government-owned company that owns and operates inland vessels and ports in Bangladesh, headquartered in Dhaka.^[2][3]

Ro-ro ferry Shah Ali on the river Padma

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation

Formation	1972
Headquarters	Dhaka, Bangladesh
Region served	Bangladesh
Official language	Bengali
Website	www.biwtc.gov.bd

Not to be confused with Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority.

The organisation gains the majority of its revenue by operating ferry services. It also offers coastal passenger services, container and cargo services, ship repair and breaking services.^[4]

History

The company was founded in 1972 after the Liberation of Bangladesh. It was placed in charge of through the nationalisation of East Pakistan Shipping Corporation and other private shipping corporations.^[2][5]

In September 2022, the BIWTC suspended inland passenger services citing a lack of passengers.^[4]

Fleet and service

As of 2024^[update], the BIWTC has a total of 119 vessels, including 59 ferries, 20 passenger vessels, 16 coastal vessels, nine tugboats, and 15 cargo and container ships.^[6]

Passenger vessels

See also: Paddle steamers in Bangladesh

Although passenger services are not in operation as of 2024^[update],^[4] the corporation has five historic paddle steamers in its passenger ferry fleet: the PS Ostrich (1929), PS Mahsud (1928), PS Lepcha (1938), PS Tern (1950), and the MV Shela (1951).^[7] The company commissioned the modern MV Madhumoti (2015) and the MV Bangali (2014) passenger ferries for the first time in six decades, each 76 metres (249 ft) long and capable of carrying 750 passengers, from Western Marine Shipyard.^[8]

Roll-on/roll-off ferries

BIWTC runs roll-on/roll-off ferry services for vehicles on seven routes, bridging destinations inaccessible directly by road:^[9]

From	To	Distance
Paturia	Daulatdia	3 km (1.9 mi)
Aricha	Kazirhat	14 km (8.7 mi)
Raomari	Chilmari	28.5 km (17.7 mi)
Dawapara	Nazirganj	6 km (3.7 mi)
Chandpur	Shariatpur	10 km (6.2 mi)
Bhola	Lakshmipur	28 km (17 mi)
Laharhat	Vadutia	10 km (6.2 mi)

References

1. "BIWTC starts special Eid services today". Daily Sun. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
2. Dowlah, Caf (19 October 2016). The Bangladesh Liberation War, the Sheikh Mujib Regime, and Contemporary Controversies. Lexington Books. p. 95. ISBN 9781498534192. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
3. "Poor navigability disrupts Mawa ferry service". Dhaka Tribune. 18 September 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
4. Shaon, Ashif Islam (10 February 2024). "BIWTC plans to resume inland passenger service soon". The Business Post. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
5. "Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 28 of 1972)". bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
6. Shaon, Ashif Islam (15 May 2024). "BIWTC struggles to find a way out". The Business Post. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
7. Tahmid, Nafiz (9 April 2022). "100 Years of Rocket Paddle Steamer: A Pride and Heritage of Bangladesh". United News of Bangladesh. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
8. Hasan, Jubair (19 May 2018). "New vessels now albatross around BIWTC's neck". The Financial Express. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
9. "Ferry Terminal". Bangladesh National Portal. Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation. Retrieved 12 June 2024.