Bangladesh is set to conduct its first-ever Vessel Census 2026 from 20 to 29 August across the country to help build a safe, orderly and effective inland water transport system.

The census will be conducted under the initiative of the Ministry of Shipping with the cooperation of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).

Speaking as the chief guest at a programme at the BBS Auditorium in the capital today, State Minister for Planning Md Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki, MP, said reliable data and statistics are indispensable for formulating appropriate policies and development plans.

"Accurate statistics have no alternative for ensuring the country's socio-economic development and adopting effective plans," he said, said a Planning Ministry press release.

State Minister for Shipping Md. Razib Ahsan, MP, also spoke at the inaugural training programme for census coordinators at the divisional, district and upazila levels.

Saki instructed officials engaged in the census to maintain professionalism, transparency and neutrality in collecting information.

The State Minister for Planning warned that strict departmental and legal action would be taken if any manipulation, irregularity, discrepancy or inconsistency is found in the collection and management of census data.

He said the present government, which has received the people's mandate, is working sincerely for public welfare, and reliable information and data are essential for ensuring effective governance and development planning.

Saki said the government is attaching special importance to waterways as they are comparatively more cost-effective for transporting goods.

"Effective use and development of waterways can expand trade and commerce and further accelerate economic activities in the country," he said.

Welcoming the initiative of the Ministry of Shipping, he expressed confidence in the professionalism and capacity of the BBS to successfully complete the Vessel Census 2026.

The census is being undertaken for the first time in the country with the objective of collecting comprehensive and reliable information on vessels and related activities, which will contribute to developing a safer, more organized and efficient inland water transport system.

Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping Zakaria, Secretary of the Statistics and Informatics Division Md Firoz Sarker, Director General of the Department of Shipping Commodore Md Shafiul Bari, and the Director General of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, among others, addressed the programme as special guests.

Senior officials of the Ministry of Shipping, the Department of Shipping, BBS and officials involved in the census were present.

The training programme was organized to prepare census coordinators at the divisional, district and upazila levels ahead of the nationwide data collection.

The Vessel Census 2026 will be conducted across the country from 20 to 29 August.