Bangladesh has not yet harnessed its maritime potential because of weak coordination among stakeholders, Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam said at a programme marking World Maritime Day 2026 and the 64th Raising Day of Bangladesh Marine Academy in Chattogram on 24 September, The Business Standard reported.
On seafarers, the minister said cadets struggle to complete the mandatory one year of sea training needed for employment, and that the government is working with the foreign ministry to resolve visa problems faced by Bangladeshi seafarers seeking jobs abroad.
Shipping Secretary Zakaria said Bangladesh ranks fifth in manpower exports but around 50th in supplying maritime professionals, and that the government aims to reach the global top 10. Captain Md Anam Chowdhury of the Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers Association called for world-class training and stricter enforcement of international rules.
Event date: 24 September 2026
Sources: This report summarises the following original reporting. Facts and quotations are attributed to these sources.
- The Business Standard, Bangladesh yet to fully tap maritime potential: Shipping minister (24 September 2026)
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File photo: an earlier visit by a shipping minister to the National Maritime Institute. Photo: Press Information Department / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
This article is a summary prepared by Maritime News BD from the report(s) listed above; it was not independently reported by Maritime News BD.
