The Bangladesh Shipping Agents’ Association (BSAA) on Thursday held a meeting with a World Bank mission to discuss measures to accelerate digitalisation and improve the efficiency and competitiveness of Bangladesh’s port and maritime logistics sector.
The meeting, held at the BSAA Conference Room in Chattogram, brought together representatives of the shipping industry and a World Bank delegation to exchange views on reforms aimed at modernising the country’s ports and maritime supply chain.
The World Bank delegation was led by Senior Transport Specialist Nusrat Nahid Babi and included Senior Consultant (Digital Ports & Maritime Infrastructure) Pascal Ollivier, along with other maritime logistics consultants.
The meeting was chaired by BSAA Chairman Capt Md Salah Uddin Chowdhury and attended by the association’s directors, advisers, former directors and representatives of leading shipping and logistics organisations.
During the discussion, BSAA representatives highlighted several operational challenges facing the sector, including port congestion, digitalisation of documentation and vessel clearance procedures, integration of digital platforms among government agencies, and the need to modernise port infrastructure and equipment.
Participants also discussed the handling of dangerous goods (DG) cargo declarations, port storage charges, operational efficiency, procedural improvements for vessel permissions and implementation of the new port tariff.
According to BSAA, both sides stressed the importance of continued engagement between stakeholders to support the modernisation and sustainable development of Bangladesh’s maritime and port sector.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks, after which BSAA hosted a luncheon for the visiting World Bank delegation to facilitate further informal discussions on the issues raised.
