EVALUATING SAFETY CULTURE IN DOMESTIC SHIPPING OF BANGLADESH: AN ASSESSMENT

Abstract

Inland water transport is a critical component of the Bangladeshi economy, facilitating a large proportion of the country's cargo and passenger movement. However, frequent accidents in this sector raise serious concerns regarding safety culture and operational resilience. While international studies have highlighted the role of organizational safety culture in improving maritime safety, few studies have explored how human and organizational factors impact safety outcomes in the inland shipping sector, especially in the context of Bangladesh. The main objective of this study is to assess the current state of safety culture among stakeholders and prioritise improvements. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining structured surveys (n=150) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with vessel operators, crews, and regulatory officials. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS, whereas qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. The findings revealed moderate weaknesses across all safetyculture indicators, with feedback mechanisms, communication, and empowerment emerging as critical deficiencies. Correlation analysis indicated strong relationships between communication and empowerment, and between management commitment and feedback, suggesting key leverage points for intervention. These results imply that strengthening feedback systems, improving communication channels, and fostering worker empowerment are essential to build a proactive safety culture in Bangladesh's inland shipping sector. Implementing these improvements could significantly enhance operational safety, reduce accident rates, and support a country's broader development goals.

Keywords: Inland water transport, Safety culture, Accident prevention, Organizational behaviour, Safety practices, safety policy