New Western Marine Shipbuilders Ltd has handed over two of the country’s largest inland passenger vessels, Rupsa and Sugandha, to Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), adding 1,528 seats to the state-owned fleet, according to a press release.
The handover ceremony was held in February at the company’s facilities in Chattogram, marking the induction of what the builder described as the largest inland passenger ships currently operating in Bangladesh.
Each vessel has a carrying capacity of 764 passengers and 44 crew members.
The ships include 46 cabins accommodating 92 passengers, comprising four VIP cabins, 27 first-class cabins and 15 second-class cabins.
In addition, the vessels provide second-class chair seating for 90 passengers and open passenger decks with capacity for 582 travellers.
With a maximum speed of 12 knots, the vessels will operate on the Dhaka–Khulna–Barisal inland river route, one of the country’s busiest waterways.
The addition is expected to expand passenger capacity and improve travel comfort on the route, the release said.
Western Marine Group Managing Director Capt Sohail Hasan said the vessels are expected to play a key role during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.
He said higher river transport capacity would help ease congestion on road and rail networks and offer passengers a safer and more comfortable alternative.
