WID efficient method to improve navigability

International Chamber of Commerce-Bangladesh President Mahbubur Rahman, extreme right, speaks at the inaugural session of a workshop on 'Water Injection Dredging' in the city recently. On his right is Shipping Minister Akbar Hossain.

This method mobilises nature's own forces and it has many advantages such as high flexibility, minimum interference with local marine traffic, short preparation period, high performance and low cost for mobilisation and demobilisation, they said.

The Royal Netherlands Embassy and Van Oord DMC, the Netherlands, organised the workshop on 'Water Injection Dredging' at a city hotel, with Shipping Minister Akbar Hossain as the chief guest, says a press release.

Jaap Van der Zeew of the Netherlands Embassy was present as the guest of honour while Mahbubur Rahman, chairman & CEO of ETBL Holdings Ltd. and president of International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)-Bangladesh, presided over the workshop.

JG Van Wijland, area director of Van Oord DMC, gave the welcome address and Paul Smit of Van Oord DMC made a presentation on Water Injection Dredging.

According to the presentation, the WID has been utilised since 1987 and successfully used by Van Oord DMC for dredging at many locations around the world, including neighbouring countries of Bangladesh. The method is a unique, effective, time-saving and well-accepted dredging technology.

The speakers observed that the government should give emphasis on the maintenance of the navigability of waterways for smooth transportation of both passenger and cargo vessels, which will reduce the enormous pressure on roads.

They also recommended allocating adequate budget for the water sector.

The Van Oord DMC assured continuous co-operation for the development of water sector in Bangladesh.