Impact of Climate Change on Safe Navigation in Inland Waterways: Bangladesh Perspective

Author: Md Shahjahan, Mohammed Mojahid Hossain Chowdhury
DOI: doi.org/10.70279/bmj-v2-i1-1107
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Climate is often described in terms of long-term averages and other statistics of weather conditions, including the frequencies of extreme events. It is a long-term change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods of time that range from decades to millions of years to a specific region, or may occur across the whole Earth. Direct and indirect effects of climate change like sea level rise, change in rainfall pattern, extreme weather condition (most importantly stronger winds, higher waves, faster currents, floods and lean flows, shifting sand banks etc.), increase in temperature and siltation of river beds and river bank erosion. The inland water transport sector of Bangladesh is being affected by most of these climate change effects. The navigators (Masters and Pilots) of inland ships are playing a vital role in our economy by shipping passengers, goods and other raw materials from one place to another place. Their role is very important in maritime transportation and their knowledge about climate change impacts on navigation which should be adequate for performing good service to the economic activities of the country. Hence, the aim of this study is to collect information about the knowledge, skills, interests, attitudes, and abilities of navigators. In view of above, a questionnaire survey was conducted while ships are called at Sadarghat and Narayanganj port areas. The gathered information was grouped considering navigational risk due to climate change impacts on inland waterways. The findings of the study revealed that masters and pilots lack in sufficient knowledge about the adverse weather which is arising from the climate change and they require adequate and appropriate knowledge to navigate the ship in such environment as well. Study results have also demonstrated about Masters and Pilots skill level and shortage of theoretical and practical knowledge in ship handling and contingency planning during emergencies. Implementation of specialized training programmes will be useful to build the capacity of Inland Masters and Pilots, so as to mitigate the impacts of climate change on navigation in confined water.