Chittagong Port is set to enter a new era of full digitalisation by February next year, Chairman of the port authority Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman announced on Saturday.

Speaking at an event marking World Maritime Day, organised by the Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers’ Association (BMMOA) at the Navy Convention in Chattogram, he urged stakeholders to remain technologically ahead in order to support the transition.

The programme, presided over by BMMOA president Captain Anam Chowdhury and moderated by general secretary Md. Sakhawat Hossain, was attended by Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Dr. Md. Ziauddin as special guest.

Highlighting Bangladesh’s long history of river-based trade, Ziauddin called for collective efforts to further strengthen the country’s maritime sector.

The event also featured video messages from the director general of the Department of Shipping and the managing director of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation.

Awards recognising bravery and excellence in the maritime industry were distributed during the ceremony. The bravery award went to Captain Amir Md. Abu Sufian, Captain Md. Zahirul Islam, and Captain Md. Farhan Ullah Ansari, while the excellence award was conferred on Captain Mahiuddin Abdul Kadir and marine engineer Md. Golam Sarwar.

Other attendees included Amjad Hossain Chowdhury, president of the Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association; Kamrul Islam Majumder, director of the Bangladesh Inland Container Depot Association; and Khairul Alam Sujon, former board member of Portserv International Ltd.

SMS/