Captain QABM Rahman, one of the founders of independent Bangladesh’s shipping sector, died on the morning of 1 November. He was 91.
A builder of institutions
Born in Faridpur on 1 February 1935, he began his career at sea in the 1950s. On 18 December 1971, he joined the advance team led by Secretary General Ruhul Quddus as Director of Ports, Shipping and Inland Waterways, helping lay the foundations of the new country’s maritime administration.
In 1972 he became the first chairman and managing director of the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC). He later worked as the International Maritime Organization’s regional adviser for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok, and after returning home chaired the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation.
Beyond the sea
He was also a devoted supporter of Bengali language and culture, a patron of Chhayanaut and Surer Dhara, and a well-known reciter of Tagore’s poetry. In 2022 he received the Ekushey Padak for his role in the Liberation War and his contribution to Bengali culture.
He is survived by his sons Manzur and Mustafizur, a brother, two sisters, a granddaughter and many relatives. Maritime News extends its condolences to his family.
Based on reporting by The Business Standard.
Photo: Representative image: Bangladesh Shipping Corporation office. Roy Upam / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
