Official webpage of Ministry of Shipping of Government of Peoples Republic of Bangladesh. Bangladesh is a riverine country with a wide network of waterways criss-crossing one another like a well laid-out cobweb. Inland waterways Transport (IWT) plays a vital role in the transport sector. Presently, IWT handles 30% of cargo and 15% of passengers of total transport sector. Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority gives pilotage facilities to about 70,000 inland water vessels. It regulates the movement of about 8000 passenger launches and maintains 11 inland ports along with about 14000 launch ghats including terminal. BIWTC is facilitating passenger and cargo movement in the inland waterways and also offshore islands. It is operating ferry in different routes, Coastal service, Rocket service, Cargo service, Tanker service etc. On the other hand 80% of the export-import trade is performed by ocean shipping. Bangaldesh Shipping Corporation, Chittagong Port and Mangla Port are playing important role in the export-import activities. Chittagong Port is now considered as the nerve centre of Bangladesh economy. Department of Shipping oversees the safety and environmental matters and the regulatory aspects of maritime shipping and also inland waterways. Marine Academy, National Maritime Institute and Deck Personnel Training Centre are imparting education and training on merchant marine.