Dhaka, Sep 9 (IANS): India and Bangladesh are all set to start a regular coastal shipping service, media here reported Tuesday.

It is likely to happen after the forthcoming visit of Bangladesh Foreign Minister A.H. Mahmud AIi to New Delhi, bdnews24 reported.

Ali is scheduled to visit Delhi Sep 18 with an 18-member delegation to discuss issues like connectivity, commerce, trade and transit.

The riverine protocol existing between the two countries is only for movement of small vessels on waterbodies flowing in the two neighbouring countries.

Starting of the regular coastal shipping service will not only reduce the burden on the road network but will also increase trade between the two countries.

According to government officials, the commercial trial run of vessels on the Indo-Bangladesh coastal routes will begin in October.

New Delhi and Dhaka had signed an agreement in June to finalise the standard operating procedures (SOP) for coastal passage between the two countries.