United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC), the state-owned maritime operator, is preparing a landmark plan to procure 22 mother vessels worth Tk 10,000 crore, aiming to strengthen the nation’s control over seaborne foreign trade. If implemented over the next five years, the initiative will significantly expand the presence of Bangladeshi-flagged ships in the country’s import-export operations, officials said. They said the move could both conserve foreign currency and increase revenue, while creating new training and employment opportunities for seafarers. BSC will fund the procurement partly through its own resources and partly via government-to-government agreements, sourcing vessels from South Korea and China. Read more: Work together to nurture open, inclusive maritime domain: Indian NSA Currently, the country has 104 Bangladeshi-flagged mother vessels, which handle only about 11–12% of the nation’s trade. A milestone in BSC’s 54-year history came last October when the corporation purchased a ship with its own funds. The vessel, Banglar Pragati, marked the first time BSC procure a ship independently. “Historically, this is the first time a ship has been purchased with our own funds,” BSC Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek told UNB. “As part of this plan, another cargo vessel, Banglar Nobojatra, will join the fleet by the end of December. Two new cargo ships with capacities of 55,000–66,000 tons are expected to generate an annual revenue of Tk 150–200 crore. Currently, our fleet has six ships, and we plan to expand it to 22 mother vessels over the next five years,” he said. Industry experts say expanding the state-owned fleet is essential to reduce reliance on foreign carriers. Engineer Mahbubur Rahman, vice president of the Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers’ Association, highlighted the need for more ships. Read more: Self-financed ship procurement deal a major step for BSC: Adviser Sakhawat “Currently, both government and private operators have 104 Bangladeshi-flagged mother vessels with a capacity of 5.4 million metric tons, covering only 11–12% of national import-export trade. According to international maritime standards, domestic carriers should handle 40% of trade, foreign carriers 40%, and the remaining 20% jointly. Considering Bangladesh’s growing trade, more vessels are required,” he said. At one time, BSC held the highest number of Bangladeshi-flagged vessels, with 34 ships in the 1990s. Over the years, the fleet shrank due to aging ships, irregularities, and mismanagement. The decline forced the country to rely heavily on foreign shipping, costing nearly Tk 1 lakh crore in foreign currency annually. Though BSC gradually procured six new ships since 2018, one was lost to a missile strike amid the Russia-Ukraine war, and two oil tankers were decommissioned following a fire, leaving the fleet with just five ships. The addition of Banglar Pragati last October temporarily increased the fleet to six. Chittagong Port Authority member (Harbour and Marine) Commodore Amin Ahmed Abdullah noted, “Increasing the number of domestic-flagged vessels will enhance Bangladesh’s competitiveness in international trade and improve efficiency in import-export operations.” Shafiqul Alam Jewel, former vice president of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents’ Association, added, “Currently, all BSC vessels operate abroad and rarely dock at Chittagong or within Bangladesh waters. For the country’s economic interest, these ships should be deployed on domestic routes.” BSC reported a record Tk 250 crore profit last year. Since starting operations in 1972, the corporation’s fleet has fluctuated, once numbering 38 ships, while the private sector’s fleet surpassed 100 vessels. Read more: Prof Yunus lauds BSC; it repays government Tk 475cr Today, BSC’s fleet has dwindled to six. The ambitious plan to procure 22 new mother vessels represents a strategic attempt to reclaim its former maritime significance while contributing to national economic growth, officials said.

An ISPR release has sought to quell speculation and calm nerves around the situation prevailing at the Bangladesh-Myanmar maritime boundary adjacent to St Martin's island. The ISPR, or Inter Services Public Relations, is the public communications wing of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. It said in the context of ongoing internal conflicts in Myanmar, the Myanmar military is conducting joint operations against the Arakan Army in Rakhine State. Due to this conflict between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army, there have been incidents of unwanted firing on Bangladeshi boats in the Naf River and the adjacent estuary area. BGB Chief orders heightened vigilance along Bangladesh-Myanmar border The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh expressed deep concern and protested the danger posed to Bangladeshi subjects on June 12, 2024. The ISPR release sent today said the Myanmar Navy is positioning near the maritime boundary of Myanmar and the Naf River, near St. Martin's Island, and firing artillery towards the positions of the Arakan Army. At the same time, the Arakan Army is also firing back at the Myanmar Navy. Currently, multiple warships of the Myanmar Navy are conducting these operations on the Myanmar border. The Myanmar Navy is also keeping the Bangladesh Navy informed about its presence in Myanmar’s maritime boundary near St. Martin’s Island. It is noteworthy that the internal conflict in Myanmar continues on the mainland and the adjacent coastal areas. Furthermore, near St. Martin's Island, multiple ships of the Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard are regularly patrolling from within Bangladesh’s maritime boundary, monitoring the movements of Myanmar’s ships. "As the ongoing internal conflict in Myanmar approaches near St. Martin's, there have been various rumors spread by interested parties on social media regarding the security of St. Martin's. Everyone is requested not to be misled by such rumors," the ISPR said. Read more: Need to find new partners to raise more int’l fund for Rohingyas: PM Hasina to IOM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday (June 21, 2023) commissioned five locally made state-of-the-art vessels of Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) that will further strengthen the maritime law enforcement force. The five vessels are two inshore patrol vessels named 'BCGS Apurba Bangla’ and 'BCGS Joy Bangla,' two tugboats named 'BCGT Pratyay' and 'BCGT Pramatta' and a floating crane named 'BCGFC Shakti.' Read: PM Hasina orders measures to contain inflation The premier commissioned the vessels at BCG Patenga Berth in Chattogram through a videoconferencing from her official residence Ganabhaban here in the capital. The two inshore patrol vessels were built by state-owned Dockyard and Engineering Works Limited in Narayanganj, while two tugboats and the floating crane were made by the Khulna Shipyard. The new vessels are equipped with ultramodern machinery, sensors and surveillance radar. The inshore patrol vessels have three automatic cannons, which will play a vital role in protecting ourselves and running operational activities. Read: PM Hasina for peaceful resolution of Ukraine crisis  The vessels have surveillance capacity of 96 nautical miles and the cannons' range is 4 kilometers and the ships are able to identify anything like other vessels, criminals or enemies within this range while the cannons will help the BCG conduct operational activities smoothly. With the commission of the vessels, the operational activities of the BCG is expected to accelerate along with increase in the capacity to prevent stealing at commercial ships at the outer anchor, control human and drug trafficking through sea, patrol along the blue economy borders and conduct rescue operations in case of natural calamity and maritime accidents. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and Senior Secretary of Public Security Division Mustafizur Rahman spoke at the commissioning ceremony, while Director General of Bangladesh Coast Guard Rear Admiral Ashraful Hoq Chowdhury delivered the welcome speech. Read: PM to brief media on the outcome of her Switzerland visit on Wednesday 

The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is no longer an idea based on "power equations", but rather a natural construct based on principles of “inclusivity, comradery, and multi-stakeholderism,” says a document related to the 6th Indian Ocean Conference being held in Dhaka on May 12, 13. As two responsible states, Bangladesh and India are committed to ensure the rise of a “free, open, inclusive and rules based” IOR, according to the concept note of the conference. The global order is rapidly evolving, power axis is shifting, and the complacency of the past is making way for greater confidence in future, the document reads. The IOR has emerged as a microcosm of partnerships, collaborations, bilateral and multilateral dependence. Also read: Indian Ocean Conference in Dhaka on May 12-13: Myanmar not invited Mauritius President Prithvirajsing Roopun, minister- and state minister-level delegations from 25 countries including Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will attend the conference. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the conference at a Dhaka hotel on May 12. The Prime Minister will also host a dinner in honour of the guests. The 6th edition of the conference is being organised by India Foundation in association with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Bangladesh. Home to the most promising economies, the most populous lands, and the most vulnerable islands, the Indian Ocean Region is a testimony to the multifaceted challenges impacting governance in the 21st century. Read More: Bangladesh urges Indian Ocean nations to work together to promote blue economy With a vast reserve of natural resources and supply chain trade routes, the IOR has become an integral part of global strategic thinking. From Europe to America and Japan to South Korea, all major powers have aligned their global strategic outreach in line with the vision of developing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific Region (FOIP). With a vision towards mutual growth, prosperity and strengthening of the international community, the 6th IOC will bring together stakeholder nations to discuss and deliberate on the theme of “Peace, Prosperity, and Partnership” for a resilient future. In light of recent developments, the global community appreciates the expansion of resilience to go beyond economic strength and military might to include in its ambit the challenges posed by rapid climatic deterioration, and the exponential rise of disruptive technologies. Read More: Ocean health needs proper regional, global attention: Dhaka Peace While the expanse of the IOR makes it a region of infinite potential, it is the same expanse that can lead to damages of unfathomable scale. The region today is faced with not just traditional challenges of security but also non-traditional challenges of biohazards, cyberwarfare, and maritime piracy. The after-effects of such a disruption are unimaginable. Thus, maintaining peace in the region is of paramount importance to ensure the rise of a resilient future. Rise of a peaceful IOR on the principles of a rules-based order will chart a new agenda for prosperity and greater partnership in the region and beyond. Prosperity The IOR is pegged to rise as the most economically prosperous region of the century. It has the economies of scale, mass consumer market, and technical prowess to lead the world into an era of global affluence based on the ethos of sustainable development. The region is home to 3 of the 5 fastest growing economies of the world, 64% of the global population, and 60% of the global GDP while also accounting for 40% of the world’s oil supply and 64% of oil trade. Read More: President of Mauritius in Dhaka to attend 6th Indian Ocean Conference, bilateral programmes As two stakeholder nations of the region, both India and Bangladesh have been traditional advocates of responsible growth and development while living in harmony with nature. Pushing forth the ethos of a lifestyle based on sustainable development, taking climate conscious decisions ranks high on the prosperity agenda of the IOR. Partnerships One lesson that the pandemic taught the world is the importance of collaborative approach to working. Partnerships in the IOR will thus be more forward looking and constructive in their scope. With greater innovation, ample opportunities are opening up for countries to collaborate in multiple formats on carbon planning and green financing, navigating technological hegemony, the development of the blue economy, the rise of alternate forms of financing, and collaboration on public healthcare and education. Read More: Maritime cooperation in Indian Ocean increasingly important in current geopolitical landscape: Discussants Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said Bangladesh's partnership with countries in the Indian Ocean will become stronger through hosting the IOC. External Affairs Minister of India Dr S. Jaishankar will deliver the keynote address of the evening alongside special addresses by the US Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman, and Vice President of Maldives Faisal Naseem. The inaugural session will also be graced by the presence of Foreign Minister Dr Momen and Foreign Minister of Oman Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi. The Foreign Minister of Singapore Dr Vivian Balakrishnan will be represented by Dr Maliki Osman, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore. Official delegations led by heads of states/governments, deputy heads, cabinet ministers, deputy ministers and senior officials from 27 countries and multilateral organisations will address the conference on May 13. Read More: PM to inaugurate Indian Ocean Conference in Dhaka May 12 The Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) was started in 2016 and in the last six years it has emerged as the "flagship consultative forum" for countries in the region on regional affairs. The conference endeavours to bring critical states and principal maritime partners of the region together on a common platform to deliberate upon the prospects of regional cooperation for Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR). The first edition of the Indian Ocean Conference was held in Singapore in 2016.

Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service Enrique Mora says Bangladesh has grown economically in a “very impressive way” and the European Union (EU) wants to work together with this “important actor” to enhance the level and quality of bilateral relations. “It’s (Bangladesh) now an actor that we want to work with more comprehensively,” he told UNB in an interview highlighting how the two sides can cooperate in the areas of maritime security, counterterrorism, cyber security; and food and energy security. Mora, who left Dhaka on Friday after holding the first “political dialogue” between Bangladesh and the EU, said they have a scheme for maritime security and expect that they can work together with Bangladesh on that particular area. “For us it is an important interest. I think it is also a key interest for Bangladesh,” he said emphasizing better understanding to each other for better cooperation.    At the political dialogue, partnering on maritime security was considered with specific focus on Bangladesh engaging in EU’s Critical Maritime Routes in the Indian Ocean II (CRIMARIO II) initiative. The need for a comprehensive, cross-sectoral and coherent approach to maritime security was also emphasized at the dialogue co-chaired by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and Deputy Secretary General Mora on Thursday night. It was envisaged that future cooperation would include information sharing mechanisms to counter non-traditional maritime threats. Read more: Bangladesh, EU seek “inclusive, secure, rules-based” Indo-Pacific region Bangladesh seeks EU’s special attention to harness the benefits of the blue economy and to enhance capability of marine law enforcing agencies to better address Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Australian expert Dr David Brewster has said there are gaps in Bangladesh’s maritime security capabilities that need to be built upon or enhanced with a comprehensive picture of its maritime domain in place first. “Bangladesh does not have a clear picture of what is happening in the maritime domain,” Brewster, who specializes in South Asian and Indian Ocean strategic affairs, told UNB in an interview. He said there needs to be a system so that Bangladesh understands what is happening out there and it is necessary to create a basis to get benefitted from the blue economy. The expert said, for example, there is illegal fishing going on but no one has ever done a proper study on its extent. Read More: Bangladesh Navy deserves appreciation for ensuring maritime security while facing natural challenges: PM “That is an absolutely fundamental thing,” he said, adding, “study first if you want to get benefit from the marine resources. You have to do the study to figure it out – the amount of resources and how much illegal fishing is taking place.” Brewster, from the National Security College in Canberra, laid emphasis on generating awareness about everything that is going on in the maritime domain – illegal fishing, drug smuggling, and human trafficking, if any. “In my view, Australia can be very useful to Bangladesh,” he said, mentioning that lack of a clear picture hinders law enforcement and the protection of maritime resources.  Brewster said Australia has useful experience in this area and can help Bangladesh develop its maritime search and rescue capabilities. Read more: Bangladesh, Australia want meaningful partnership “We want to see all our neighbours having the ability to properly manage and govern their maritime spaces. More broadly, we want to see a stable and prosperous Bangladesh,” said the expert. He said Australia can also provide targeted capability-building assistance on selected transnational security issues. Talking about growing “competition and rivalries” among major powers in the region, the Australian expert said, “I should say, Bangladesh has handled this competition very well, at least so far.” Appreciating the process and policies that Bangladesh follows in terms of taking projects and investment, he said, “In my view, Bangladesh has been very cautious.” Read More: Blue economy potentials: Experts for maritime affairs ministry Responding to a question, Brewster said beyond economy, Bangladesh and Australia have a lot of shared interests in the region in terms of stability, resilience and making sure that other countries in the region are stable and resilient. 

Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted local cautionary signal No three as the well-marked low over northwest Bay and adjoining area moved west-northwards and weakened into a low. “Now it lies over east Madhya Pradesh and adjoining area,” said a Met office bulletin. Squally weather may affect the Maritime ports, North Bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh. Read: Maritime ports asked to alert vessels of possible squall All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice. They are also advised not to venture into the deep seas.  

Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to hoist distant cautionary signal No 1 as the well-marked low over southeast Bay and adjoining South Andaman Sea intensified into a depression over the same area. It was centred at 06 am Sunday about 1380 kms south of Chattogram port, 1295 kms south of Cox’s Bazar port, 1440 kms south-southeast of Mongla port and 1375 kms south-southeast of Payra port, said a special bulletin of Met office. READ: Caution for maritime ports: Low pressure over Bay intensifies It is likely to intensify further and move in a north/northeasterly direction. All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to come close to the coast and proceed with caution. They are also advised not to venture into the deep sea.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said the important role of cadets from Marine Fisheries Academy will help the government achieve the SDG-14 by tapping marine resources for sustainable development. “The government has taken a number of steps to achieve the SDG-14 by using marine resources for sustainable development. I hope your role will be inevitable in achieving this goal of our government,” she said. Hasina said this while addressing the ‘Mujib Barsho Passing-out Parade’ of the 41th Batch of Marine Fisheries Academy. The programme was held at Marine Fisheries Academy and the Prime Minister joined it from her official residence Ganobhaban. The Prime Minister said the cadets, being trained from the academy, are going to become fearless sailors in the deep sea. “I firmly believe this knowledge gained through the hard work, perseverance and intensive training will be helpful in your future work.” Hasina mentioned that the cadets who passed out from the Academy today are about to leave the small circle of campus and enter the larger field of professional life. “In order to survive in this ever-changing and competitive modern world, you’ve already prepared yourself with the knowledge you’ve acquired.” She said the key to improvement in working life is hard work, punctuality, honesty, efficiency, values and devotion to the country and the nation. “I think, you’ll brighten the image of the country by acquiring these qualities and performing the respective responsibilities in future workplaces.” Referring to recovering vast sea areas from India and Myanmar, Hasina said the Awami League government has laid special emphasis on the “Blue Economy” and extraction of resources from the sea has opened up a new door for the socio-economic development of Bangladesh's growing population. “With your active participation, I hope, the extraction of marine resources will be further enhanced, which will enrich our economy alongside helping achieve the goal of the government's blue economy,” she said. The PM said the Bay of Bengal, a reservoir of natural resources, is constantly supplying a huge amount of fishery resources to meet the demand for protein of the people of Bangladesh. “So, you people have to always play a leading role in the extraction, preservation and marketing of fisheries from the Bay of Bengal alongside conservation of its biodiversity and prevention of environmental pollution.” Although the task is difficult, Hasina hoped that the knowledge of the cadets will be helpful in this regard. The PM said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had concentrated on agricultural and industrial revolution as well as the maritime sector to strengthen the economic base of post-independence war-torn Bangladesh. She said the Territorial Waters and Maritime Zones Act, 1974 was enacted by Bangabandhu for Bangladesh in 1974, at a time when there was no specific standard for framing the maritime law in the world. Hasina mentioned that the United Nations later enacted the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1982 as an international maritime law. She said the Marine Fisheries Academy, the first maritime educational institution in independent Bangladesh, was established in 1973 on the south bank of the river Karnafuli in Chittagong under the far-reaching plan and direction of the Father of the Nation. The PM said the academy was established to generate trained manpower in the fisheries sector for the efficient extraction of fishery resources in the country’s vast seas, meeting the demand for protein of the largest population and earning foreign currency. But she regretted that the progress of the Marine Fisheries Academy was hampered after the assassination of Father of the Nation in 1975 and there had been no progress at that time as expected. Since the Awami League government assumed power, she said, it is transforming this institution into an international standard maritime educational institution. During this time, Hasina said, the expansion of academic buildings, expansion of facilities in various labs, expanded library facilities, collection of modern training equipment, construction of male and female cadet hostels were done. At the same time, facilities have also been created for the physical and mental development of the cadets alongside the setting up of a modern standard swimming pool, auditorium and gymnasium, she added. According to the election manifesto of Awami League government, Hasina said, female cadets are being admitted to this academy for the development of women's education and empowerment of women. She mentioned that the recruitment of female cadets started from the 32nd batch in 2010. Hasina said that from 2018 Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) is being issued by the Department of Shipping in favour of the cadets of this institution who have completed pre-C training of the Department of Nautical and Marine Engineering to provide scope for getting job opportunities in the maritime sector abroad. “As a result, the cadets of this academy have got the opportunity to get employment in the sea-going merchant ships and their field of work has expanded all over the world.” Mentioning that Marine Fisheries Academy has been affiliated to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University since 2018, she said that four-year BSc (Hons) in Nautical Studies, BSc (Hons) in Engineering and BSc (Hons) in Marine Fisheries degrees are being offered from it. “As a result, after completing their education from this academy, the path of higher education of the cadets has become easier,” she added. Hasina said initiatives have been taken to install modern simulators (artificial sea training system) for the academy and it will be done quickly. When it is attached to the academy, soon it will be upgraded to an international standard maritime educational institution, she added. The Pm said 1,914 cadets, including 58 female cadets who have successfully passed out from the academy, have been working hard in various maritime sectors at home and abroad to strengthen the foundation of the country's economy. READ: Bangladesh’s relations with Sri Lanka will grow further, Hasina says in a video message This year, a total of 84 female and male cadets, including 33 cadets in the nautical department, 31 cadets in the marine engineering department and 20 cadets in the marine fisheries department, are passing out in the 41st batch of the academy. Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim, Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Dr Mohammad Yamin Chowdhury also spoke at the programme. Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim, on behalf of the Prime Minister, distributed awards among Cadet HM Benazir Ahmed, Cadet Rupaida Rahman, Cadet Abdur Rahman Al Wadud, Cadet Mohammad Ariful Islam and Cadet Asif Alam Darpan for their outstanding performances in different subjects. READ: Hasina vows to accelerate country’s socio-economic development for better living standard of people A video documentary on the Marine Fisheries Academy was also screened at the programme. The Prime Minister also witnessed the passing out parade and took the salute.

With a depression over the southwest Bay and adjoining areas intensifying, the maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to stay vigilant. In fact, the depression over the southwest Bay and adjoining areas moved north- northwestwards and intensified into a deep depression and lay centred over the same area at 6am on Saturday. It was centred about 1,615km of south-southwest of Chattogram port, 1,565km south-southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 1,495km south-southwest of Mongla port and 1,495km south-southwest of Payra port, the Met office said in a special bulletin. READ: Maritime ports asked to hoist local cautionary signal No 3 It is likely to intensify further and move in a northwesterly direction, it said. Maximum sustained wind speed is within 48 kms of the deep depression centre. Sea will remain moderate near the deep depression centre, according to the Met office. All fishing boats and trawlers over the north bay and deep sea have been advised to proceed with caution. READ: Maritime ports told to warn vessels of 'deep depression' in Bay of Bengal