A recent nationwide survey has revealed that more than 90 percent of motorized vessels operating in Bangladesh are unregistered. Out of 244,660 motorized boats identified, only 22,298 are registered under the Department of Shipping. The findings, released on May 22, 2026, indicate that most vessels operate without approved designs, safety checks, or certified crews, posing serious safety and revenue concerns.

The survey, conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics under the Department of Shipping’s project to build a vessel database, was carried out from May 4 to 17 across the country. It identified around 25 types of vessels, including cargo ships, passenger launches, speedboats, dredgers, and ferries. Experts warned that unapproved vessel construction and operation create significant safety risks and deprive the government of substantial revenue.

Officials noted that data collection is still ongoing in remote and hilly areas, suggesting the total number of vessels may increase slightly once the survey is complete.