The government has taken an initiative to transform the country’s shipbuilding and ship-recycling industries into safe, environment-friendly and sustainable sectors.
Separate meetings were held in the Secretariat on Thursday to review the existing laws, rules, policies and challenges facing the two industries and formulate recommendations for their sustainable development, said a PID handout on Friday.
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Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo chaired the meetings held at his ministry’s conference room. Industries Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir and State Minister for Shipping Razib Ahsan attended as the special guests.
The meetings discussed various aspects of sustainable development of the shipbuilding and ship recycling sectors, including environmental protection, workers’ safety and compliances with international standards, technological modernisation, development of skilled manpower and expansion of financing facilities.
During the meeting, a presentation on the ship-recycling industry highlighted the economic importance of this sector and employment generation, raw materials supply to the country’s steel industry and its potential to contribute to the circular economy.
The presentation also emphasised compliance with international environmental and safety standards, safe management of hazardous waste, wastewater treatment, air pollution control, soil restoration and biodiversity conservation.
It also underscored the need to establish and effectively operate a national Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility (TSDF), improve hazardous waste treatment, install incinerators, promote material reuse and protect coastal and mangrove ecosystems.
The presentation further stressed the need for skilled human resources through training, establishing testing laboratories, ensuring financial support and strengthening coordination among relevant institutions.
On the shipbuilding industry, another presentation identified Bangladesh’s geographical location, comparatively low labour costs, technical capabilities, domestic market and export potential as competitive advantages.
It highlighted the need for modern dry docks, modular shipbuilding, export-oriented shipyards, technological modernisation, research and development, and development of skilled manpower to strengthen the industry.
The meeting also discussed the need for Bangladesh’s shipbuilding industry to adapt to emerging changes in the global maritime sector.
The presentation cited major global trends, including the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Net-Zero Framework, alternative and low-carbon fuels, liquefied natural gas (LNG), green steel, carbon trading and smart shipyards.
The meetings highlighted the need for enhanced financing facilities, including green finance, government guarantees, public-private partnerships and export credit, for the long-term development of the industry.
They stressed the need to identify existing problems and obstacles, formulate practical recommendations, ensure compliance with international standards and prepare future action plans by prioritising environmental protection and workers’ safety.
The two meetings underscored the need for coordinated efforts to make Bangladesh’s ship-related industries more environment-friendly, technology-driven and safe, while enhancing their competitiveness in the global market.
Finance Secretary Dr. Md. Khairuzzaman Mozumder, Industries Secretary Abdun Naser Khan, representatives of relevant ministries, divisions, departments and agencies and stakeholders of the two sectors attended the meetings.