CE 355 Introduction to Water Transport Water transport can be broadly divided into two groups - Inland water transport and Shipping. Shipping, in turn, can again be divided into two categories Coastal shipping and Overseas shipping. IWT includes natural modes as navigable rivers and artificial modes such as canals. IWT, including rivers and canals, represents an important, alternative and environmentally friendly way of transporting goods and passengers. Advantages of Water Transport 1. Cheapest traffic means 2. Possesses high load carrying capacity 3. Requires cheap motor powers than for airplanes 4. Does not require any special infrastructure like roads, and airports 5. Environmental friendly Disadvantages of Water Transport 1. Slow in speed 2. More chances of attack on boat sailing through 3. Only can be used when sufficient water is available 4. Does not work well in water bodies with high drafts (e.g. near waterfalls) 5. Highly weather susceptible Criteria to Ensure an Efficient Water Transport 1. Navigability 2. Well-planned loading and unloading points 3. Efficient terminals
IWT Status in Bangladesh The inland waterways have played an important role in the transport system of our sub-continent since ancient times. However, in recent times the importance of this mode of transport has declined considerably with the expansion of road and rail transport. In addition, diversion of river water for irrigation has also reduced the importance of inland water transport. The decline is also due to accumulation of silt in rivers and failure to modernize the fleet to suit local conditions. Bangladesh has about 24,000 km. of rivers, streams and canals that together cover about 7% of the country's surface. Most part of the country is linked by a complex network of waterways which reaches its extensive size in the monsoon period. Out of 24,000 km. of rivers, streams and canals only about 5,968 km. is navigable by mechanized vessels during monsoon period which shrinks to about 3,865km. during dry period. The IWT sector carries over 50% of all arterial freight traffic and one quarter of all passenger traffic. Length of inland waterways 24,000 km. Length of navigable waterways Monsoon Dry season 5968 km. 3865 km. Least available depth range 3.90 m to 1.50 m. Annual water discharge (Source:BWDB) 1400 billion cubic meter. Annual quantum of silt (Source: BWDB) 2.5 billion tons. No. of passenger carried (In year) 87.80 million. Quantum of cargo carried (In year) 0.58 million ton. The waterways of Bangladesh have been classified into four categories depending on least available depth (LAD) ranging from 3.90 m to 1.50m. Name of Route Depth Length of Route and Percentage Vertical Clearance Horizontal Clearance Class- I 3.66 m 683 km (11.39%) 18.30 m 76.22 m Class- II 2.13 m 1027 km(17.13%) 12.20 m 76.22 m Class -III 1.52 m 1885 km(31.44%) 7.62 m 30.48 m Class -IV Less than 1.52 m 2400 km(40.04%) 5.00 m 20.00 m
Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade between Bangladesh and India. To utilize the rivers for transportation of goods between the two countries and for transportation of goods from one Indian place to another Indian place, there exists a Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade between Bangladesh and India. The current protocol is valid upto 31st March, 2009. To transport the inter-country trade cargo following Ports of Call have been designated under the Protocol: Bangladesh Narayanganj Khulna Mongla Sirajganj India Kolkata Haldia Pandu Karimganj Under the Protocol, eight IWT routes have been designated for the porpose of transport. Following are the main transit routes: a) Kolkata Pandu b) Kolkata Karimganj c) Karimganj - Pandu Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) have been appointed by the Government as Competent Authority for all working under the Protocol, while Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) by the Indian Government. Number of trips on inter Country Trade under the Protocol Since 2006-2007 to 2009-2010 (March) Year Round Trip by Round Trip by Total Under Bangladeshi vessels Indian vessels Protocol Route 2006-2007 2,540 00 2,540 2007-2008 2,976 02 2,980 Oct' 2008- June' 2009 1,031 11 1,042 July' 2009 - March' 2010 1301 7 1,308
Statistics of Inter-country cargo carried by Bangladesh and India vessels in metric ton and Ratio since 2006-2007 to March-2010 Year Carried by Bangladeshi vessels (M.ton) Carried by Indian vessels (M.ton) Total carried Percentage (Bangladesh : India) (M.ton) 1 2 3 2+3 2006-2007 8,81,011 -- 8,81,011 100 : 00 2007-2008 9,94,345 1,900 9,96,245 99.80 : 0.20 2008-2009 9,30,094 14,328 9,44,422 98.48 : 1.52 July' 2009 - March' 2010 9,50,109 3,591.74 9,53,700.74 99.62 : 0.38 Statistics of transit trade cargo transported under the Protocol on IWT & T between Bangladesh and India (in M.ton)* Name of Route 2007-08 2008-09 2009-March'2010 Kolkata-Dhubri(Pandu) 10,318 300 2,991.74 Dhubri(Pandu)-Kolkata Nil Nil Nil Kolkata-Karimganj 2,800 14,328 600 Karimganj-Kolkata 188 0.200 Nil *Entire cargo were carried by Indian vessels.