Shipping, Railways and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam today (15 October) stressed the need for modern technology, a skilled workforce, global cooperation and coordinated efforts to harness the vast potential of the country's shipping and maritime sectors and accelerate economic growth.
He noted that Bangladesh holds immense potential in various fields including shipbuilding, ship repair and recycling, port management, maritime transport, logistics and offshore oil and gas exploration.
The minister made these remarks while inaugurating the '8th BIMOX 2026', an international exhibition for Bangladesh's maritime and offshore industries organized by SAVOR International Limited in the city's Basundhara area as the chief guest.
Rabiul Alam stated that through well-planned investment, the enhancement of technical capabilities and the development of a skilled workforce, these sectors could make a significant contribution to the national economy.
He further said that Bangladesh is a nation blessed with an abundance of seas, rivers and waterways.
The country's nearly 16,000 kilometers of natural waterways and its strategic location on the Bay of Bengal offers significant opportunities for the growth of shipping, port management, maritime trade and logistics.
However, fully realizing this potential requires effective planning, institutional coordination and the application of international expertise.
The minister mentioned that initiatives are underway to enhance the capacity of the Chattogram and Mongla sea ports, construct a deep-sea port at Matarbari and improve the operational efficiency of the Payra Sea Port. Global expertise is also being leveraged to modernize port management and bring it up to international standards.
He added that these initiatives would be instrumental in expanding trade, increasing the efficiency of cargo transportation and strengthening country's position within the international supply chain.
Highlighting the potential of the shipping sector, the minister stated that increasing investment and enhancing technical capabilities in this field can lead to the creation of new jobs and a greater contribution to the national economy.
In particular, there is significant scope to integrate more of Bangladesh's skilled seafarers into the international labour market.
He further emphasized the need to improve the quality of training to meet up the international market demands, familiarize personnel with modern technology and enhance professional skills.
By drawing on the experiences of countries like the Philippines, Bangladesh could expand international employment opportunities for its seafarers.
Underscoring the importance of international cooperation, Shaikh Rabiul noted that the technical expertise, modern technology and management skills of nations and organizations experienced in the maritime sector could play a vital role in country's development.
He added that international exhibitions such as BIMOX would create new opportunities for business networking, technology exchange, investment and joint ventures between domestic and foreign entities.
Emphasizing on environmental protection, the minister stated that ecological balance must be maintained while extracting marine resources or conducting maritime operations.
Unplanned resource extraction and unregulated activities pose risks to the marine ecosystem; therefore, it is essential to ensure the sustainable use of marine resources through modern technology, eco-friendly practices and responsible management.
Regarding the energy transition, he mentioned that discussions are underway to increase the use of environmentally friendly fuels in the international shipping sector.
However, as a developing nation, Bangladesh must proceed in a planned manner taking into account its technical readiness, financial capacity and existing practical constraints while simultaneously ensuring global environmental protection, maritime security and human well-being.
The minister further noted that realizing the full potential of the shipping and maritime sector requires a collaborative effort involving government agencies, the private sector, educational institutions, training centers and international partners.
The government is actively working to overcome the existing limitations and strengthen country's competitive standing in the international arena.
Thanking the organizers, he stated that such international events would play a significant role in the development of Bangladesh's maritime industry, the exchange of technical knowledge and the attraction of foreign investment.
He urged the relevant domestic and international organizations, as well as experts, to continue their support for the development of this sector.
Ambassador of the Netherlands to Bangladesh Joris van Bommel, Ambassador of Myanmar U Kyaw Soe Moe, Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Maritime University Rear Admiral Md. Niamat Elahi and the Director General of the Department of Shipping Commodore Md. Shafiul Bari attended the programme as special guests.