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BIWTA Compliant Maritime Contract

Terms of Service

Rules, cargo covenants, carrier agreements, and shipping obligations governing the use of NoboGhat’s digital river freight marketplace across Bangladesh inland waters.

Effective DateSeptember 25, 2026Rev 3.1 • Act 1976 / 2001

1. Acceptance & Statutory Framework

Welcome to NoboGhat. By accessing or using our mobile application, web portal, or API services (collectively the "Platform"), you enter into a legally binding contract with NoboGhat Logistics Technologies Ltd. ("NoboGhat", "we", "us").

Our operations are framed and bound under the maritime regulatory framework of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, including:

  • The Inland Shipping Ordinance, 1976 (and all subsequent amendments)
  • Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Cargo Tariffs and Route Regulations
  • The Carriage of Goods by Water Act and The Ports Act
  • The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act, 2006
Notice to All Parties: If you do not consent to all conditions contained within these Terms of Service, you must immediately terminate access and refrain from executing freight reservations, cargo manifests, or dispatch bids.

2. User Classifications & Mandatory KYC

Users must register under their truthful legal persona. The platform strictly enforces role-based responsibilities:

Shippers & Farmers (Cargo Owners)

Must provide accurate weight declarations, packing verification, and consignee contact details. Liable for delays caused by misrepresented cargo dimensions or improper crating.

Vessel Owners & Trawler Operators

Must furnish valid Department of Shipping (DoS) survey certificates, BIWTA fitness fitness registrations, master crew credentials, and proof of seaworthiness before accepting bookings.

We reserve the right to suspend or purge any account providing falsified National ID (NID), forged trade licenses, or expired vessel fitness certifications.

3. Permissible Cargo, Weight Limits & Contraband

NoboGhat is designed primarily for agricultural trade, bulk commodities, construction materials, and commercial river freight.

Strictly Prohibited Goods (Zero Tolerance)
  • Unregistered chemical explosives, unlicensed petroleum derivatives, or corrosive industrial acids.
  • Narcotics, illegal distillery products, or contraband prohibited under the Narcotics Control Act 2018.
  • Endangered wildlife flora/fauna, river dolphin derivatives, or illegally harvested Sundarbans timber.
  • Firearms, ordnance, or military munitions of any description.

Any shipper attempting to book prohibited items will be permanently banned and referred to the River Police and Bangladesh Coast Guard.

4. Tariffs, Demurrage & Escrow Settlement

Freight quotations generated by NoboGhat combine statutory BIWTA route rates, vessel tonnage class, fuel surcharges, and landing quay charges.

  • Escrow Assurance: For digital payments initiated via bKash, Nagad, or SSLCommerz, funds are secured in escrow until the recipient port master or consignee validates offloading via digital delivery PIN.
  • Laytime & Demurrage: Each booking includes a guaranteed free laytime of 4 hours for loading and 4 hours for discharge at the designated ghat. Delay beyond standard laytime attributable to the shipper incurs a statutory demurrage fee of ৳৫০০ per hour.
  • Port Dues & Labour: Traditional coolie / labor charges ("Kuli Khoroch") and local ghat leaseholder taxes are indicated during booking and must be settled in accordance with the route receipt.

5. Monsoon Safety Protocol & River Warnings

Safety of river transport is paramount. Our platform integrates real-time warnings from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) and BIWTA river port controllers.

Mandatory Weather Signal Actions:

  • River Warning Signal No. 1: Vessels proceed with caution; high-speed trawlers restricted.
  • River Warning Signal No. 2: All cargo vessels below 65 feet length are prohibited from navigating Meghna and coastal river stretches. Scheduled voyages postponed without cancellation penalty.
  • Great Danger Signals (No. 3 & 4): Absolute nationwide suspension of all cargo operations. Vessels must moor at designated safe river shelters immediately.

Voyage postponements initiated by official meteorological warnings constitute legitimate Force Majeure. Demurrage penalties are frozen for the duration of the warning.

6. Carrier Liability, Insurance & Perishable Cargo

NoboGhat acts as an enabling technology platform and logistics broker. We provide digital tracking, matchmaking, automated receipts, and dispute arbitration, but do not directly own or crew vessels unless expressly designated as a NoboGhat-chartered fleet.

Perishable Agricultural Goods

For perishable items such as fresh seasonal vegetables, betel leaves, or fish, shippers are strongly advised to select refrigerated trawler runs. Carriers are liable for negligence in handling but not for natural rot arising from customary transit duration.

Transit Insurance Coverage

Optional micro-insurance covers loss from sinking, piracy, or collision up to ৳৫,০০,০০০ per consignment. Claims must be filed via the Platform within 72 hours of incident with photographic verification and local Thana general diary (GD) copy.

7. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.

Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to these Terms or the breach, termination, or invalidity thereof, shall be resolved initially through mutual amicable conciliation mediated by NoboGhat's Grievance Cell.

If unaddressed within 30 days, matters shall be referred to arbitration in Dhaka, Bangladesh, conducted in English or Bengali, under the Bangladesh Arbitration Act, 2001. The courts located in Dhaka shall have exclusive territorial jurisdiction.