[🇧🇩-Navy] Bangladesh Navy news/views

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Source : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk6jgjpXwzI

Hanif Sanket makes a video on Bangladesh Navy and its Capability.

 

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Since our indigenous frigate program has been delayed, we should buy a few Type-23 Duke class frigate from Royal navy as a stop gap measure.

 

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A good overview of Bangladesh Navy.

 

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A good overview of Bangladesh Navy.

 

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Royal Navy OPV visits Chittagong

 

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A little old but good read.

Bangladesh to buy 5 naval ships from UK

Bangladesh will buy five naval ships from the UK to modernise the armed forces as part of the Forces Goal 2030 as the country aspires to become a developed nation by 2041.

www.thedailystar.net

Bangladesh to buy 5 naval ships from UK​

Says foreign minister

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen. Reuters file photo

Bangladesh will buy five naval ships from the UK to modernise the armed forces as part of the Forces Goal 2030 as the country aspires to become a developed nation by 2041.

"We have decided in principle to buy five naval ships. The objectives of this purchase is to monitor and protect our huge sea frontiers from others who enter our territories for fishing or other purposes,"

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told this correspondent from London yesterday.

The issue was discussed at a bilateral meeting between Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her UK counterpart Boris Johnson on the sidelines of COP26 in Glasgow on Wednesday.
The British premier proposed selling other defence equipment, including aircraft, said Momen.

"The negotiation went on for a long time. This time, we agreed in principle to buy five naval ships. Three of those will be imported from the UK and the two others will be built in our dockyard in Chattogram."

The minister said the final deal on the procurement is yet to be signed. "Our Ministry of Defence will be working on it. We will surely buy the ships at a competitive price."

The development comes at a time when the Indo-Pacific region is drawing more global attention.

There is already the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, known as the QUAD, a strategic dialogue between the United States, India, Japan and Australia, which analysts say is aimed at countering China.

Moreover, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States announced on September 15 a security pact called AUKUS for the Indo-Pacific region. Under the pact, the US and the UK will help Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines.

Momen said Bangladesh and the UK have a solid relationship which is growing day by day -- be it in the areas of development, trade and politics.

Earlier on October 14, Type 23 frigate HMS Kent of the UK's Carrier Strike Group deployment (CSG21) sailed to the naval base in Chattogram marking the celebration of Bangladesh's Golden Jubilee of independence and highlighting the historic bilateral defence connections and people-to-people relationship between the UK and Bangladesh.

HMS Kent engaged in a series of events with the Bangladesh Navy and the local administration in Chattogram to maximise bilateral relations benefitting both countries' military, trade, and political alliances.

"This year, with the spirit of Brit Bangla Bondhon, the UK is demonstrating the depth and significance of UK-Bangla ties through its commitment to engage more with Bangladesh as a partner of sustainable peace and growth," the UK High Commission in Dhaka said in a statement on October 18.

British High Commissioner Robert Chatterton Dickson said the welcoming of the frigate builds on a long history of defence cooperation that the UK is extremely proud of.

"We are committed to deepening our cooperation as a key part of the enduring relationship between our two countries."

According to the statement, a significant number of Bangladesh Navy personnel have trained alongside the Royal Navy in the UK, including at the Royal College of Defence Studies.​

 

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The Bangladesh Navy – An Available, Adaptive and Affordable Force - European Security & Defence

The Bangladesh Navy has witnessed phenomenal growth in past three decades. It is evolving into a truly three-dimensional navy capable of maintaining an effective posture across the full spectrum of any conflict at sea. Notwithstanding the fact that the Navy has already made significant...

euro-sd.com

The Bangladesh Navy – An Available, Adaptive and Affordable Force​

10. March 20
The Bangladesh Navy has witnessed phenomenal growth in past three decades. It is evolving into a truly three-dimensional navy capable of maintaining an effective posture across the full spectrum of any conflict at sea. Notwithstanding the fact that the Navy has already made significant investments, there is still a need for new equipment as the Navy faces major challenges as many of its ageing units are in urgent need of replacement. ESD had the opportunity to talk to Rear Admiral Mohammad Musa, Commander Khulna Naval Area (COMKHUL).

When Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan on 26 March 1971, the navy consisted of only two armed river patrol boats. Today, its inventory stands at more than 100 ships and craft and some 22,000 personnel. Bangladesh has a 710 km coastline along the Bay of Bengal with the principal ports of Chittagong and Mongla and, having settled its maritime boundaries with Myanmar in 2012, and India in 2014 via international arbitration, a sovereign claim over an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of 118,813 km2. Bangladesh also has one of the largest inland water transport networks in the world, covering a total length of some 24,000 km with river ports at Dhaka, Narayanganj, Chandpur, Bhairab, Barisal, Chittagong, and Khulna and minor 21 inland river ports. The Navy Establishments and assets are spread over three regions: the Dhaka Naval Area, the Chittagong Naval Area, and the Khulna Naval Area. The Naval Headquarters are located in the country’s capital Dhaka and includes the establishments BNS Haji Mohsin, BNS Sheikh Mujib, and the Naval Unit Pagla. The main naval bases are located in Chittagong, 250km south east from Dhaka, and Khulna 270 km south west of Dhaka, and Kaptai 60 km east of Chittagong. A new base, BNS Sher-e-Bangla, is under construction in Patuakhali in southwestern sector of Bangladesh. It will become the navy’s largest naval base with ship berthing and aviation facilities. A separate submarine base, BNS Sheikh Hasina, is also under construction near Kutubdia Island. The navy’s training establishments are the Bangladesh Naval Academy, BNS Issa Khan in Chittagong; the New Entry Training School, and the School of Logistics and Management in Khulna located in BNS Titumir, and BNS Shaheed Moazzam at Kaptai, in the Rangamati Hill District.​

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Photo: Guy Toremans

ESD: Admiral Musa, I had the honor to meet you at the 12th Regional Seapower Symposium in Venice. What is the value of the RSS for the Bangladesh Navy?

Admiral Musa: Nowadays, as transnational maritime challenges are becoming more diverse, complex, unpredictable, and intertwined, cooperation between navies is imperative. So we need the integrated approach to ensure our maritime security. The 12th Regional Seapower Symposium brings together allies and partners who desire to strengthen international security and stability. This symposium is an excellent platform for an open and constructive exchange of ideas and generates maritime awareness, and highlight the need for a shared approach to ensure peace and prosperity.

ESD: As the Commander Khulna Naval Area can you provide some details about your command?

Admiral Musa: As Commander Khulna Naval Area, I deal with all maritime activities of Bangladesh’s south and south-western region, and assure the security of the country’s two major sea ports Mongla and Payra. The Khulna Naval Area is the navy’s western naval command, headquartered in BNS Titumir in the city of Khulna. BNS Titumir, one of our navy’s largest bases, is home port to numerous naval units and houses several naval establishments such as the School of Logistics and Management, and the New Entry Training School [a boot camp for new recruits]. We are also responsible for the administrative and logistic support to all our navy ships, the Khulna Shipyard and the Mongla and Payra Port authorities.

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BNS SAMUDRA JOY, the former US Coast Guard cutter USCGC JARVIS, transferred on 23 May 2013 (Photo: Guy Toremans)

ESD: Looking at the Bangladesh Navy in general, what are its tasks and missions?

Admiral Musa: The Bangladesh Navy (BN) plays a central role in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and interests in the maritime domain. Our primary tasks are to patrol the territorial waters, ensure our rights over the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Continental Shelf; keep the Sea Lines of Communications (SLOC) and our ports open; protect the fishing fleet; conduct Maritime SAR-operations; carry out oceanographic surveys; provide disaster management and humanitarian assistance & disaster relief (HA/DR) in the event of natural disasters (floods, cyclones, tidal waves, earthquakes), and any other task for which the government may deem it necessary to deploy the navy. The increased use of the maritime domain for illegal fishing, smuggling illegal drugs and other illicit traffic, considerably augmented our commitments.

And with the settlement of maritime boundary delimitations with our neighbours [India and Myanmar], and the introduction by our government of the ‘Blue Economy’ Programme, our tasks increased even further. This ‘Blue Economy’ initiative aims at turning the Bay of Bengal into a hub of economic development and to effectively utilise the marine resources through the conservation and efficient use of the resources of the sea. Obviously, this implicates the reliance on the navy to lead many of these national maritime issues in order to protect our maritime interests and coordinate the Blue Economy Activities.

ESD: The national and the international environment are characterised by the increase of asymmetric threats at sea. Does your navy has sufficient assets to comply to all its commitments?

Admiral Musa: In the past decade, the Bangladesh Navy has mustered adequate assets to carry out its mandated tasks and we are working to improve our capabilities even further. Our Government is very supportive to develop a credible fleet, with robust and dynamic support structures, as well as a skilled and motivated workforce. Its “Forces Goals 2030 Initiative”, introduced in 2011 and being revised periodically, represents a major qualitative and quantitative improvement of our capabilities, turning the Bangladesh Navy into a credible three-dimensional force.
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BNS SHADINHOTA, the leadship of the four newly-built SHADINHOTE class (Type C 13B) corvettes (Photo: Guy Toremans)

ESD: Can you give us a rundown on your navy’s procurement programmes? What projects are being carried out and which are in the planning stage?

Admiral Musa: In the past decade, we acquired two ex-Chinese JIANGHU III class frigates (BNS ABU BAKR and BNS ALI HAIDER in 2014); and the two JIANGWEI II class frigates (BNS OMAR FAROOQ and BNS ABU UBAIDAH) in January 2020; four newly-built SHADINHOTE class corvettes (BNS SHADINHOTA and BNS PROTTOY in 2016, and BNS SHANGRAM and BNS PROTTASAHA in 2019), two Chinese MING class diesel electric submarines (BNS NABAJKATRA and BNS JOYATRA) submarines, two helicopters from Italy (Agusta Westland 109E ‘POWER’) in 2011, four LCU type landing craft in 2015 and two maritime patrol aircraft from Germany (Dornier 228NG) in 2013. At the same time, we are also developing a sustainable local shipbuilding capability. Our shipbuilding infrastructure is being upgraded in order to build up to frigate-sized vessels and carry out the maintenance of all our units in-country. On order are a second batch of five PADMA class patrol vessels, and two more MPAs from Germany. On the longer term, we are looking into the replacement of our BNS OSMAN (ex-Chinese JIANGU II class) frigate and the six ex-RN ISLAND class offshore patrol vessels, as well as into the procurement of new mine countermeasure vessels, logistic ships, and additional helicopters and MPAs.

ESD: Drones are a major game-changer in maritime surveillance. Do you plan to acquire drones?

Admiral Musa: Indeed. The Bangladesh Navy Centre for Research & Development has already produced indigenously built drone for targeting practices, and is also working on research to manufacture drones and UAVs to carry out surveillance and monitor coastal and offshore activities.

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One of the navy’s two Agusta Westland AW 109F helicopters (Photo: Bangladesh Navy)

ESD: Partnerships and international co-operation became a necessity. How would you assess the level of interaction and cooperation with other navies?

Admiral Musa: The motto of our foreign policy is “Friendship to all, malice to none”. The BN is a trusted regional partner and maintains strong relationships with many navies in the region and beyond, in order to effectively counter common threats at sea. We undertake a wide range of cooperative initiatives, such as bilateral and multilateral exercises at sea, joint training and capability building programmes. And we are engaged in various initiatives like the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, the Western Pacific Naval Symposium, and the Regional Seapower Symposium. Some of our officers and sailors undergo training in Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Turkey, the UK, and the US. Likewise, personnel from India, the Maldives, Qatar, and Sri Lanka receive training at Bangladesh Navy Training Establishments. We do regularly deploy assets ‘out-of-area’, i.e. our ships have been operating in Multinational Task Force in UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) in the Mediterranean Sea since 2010. And we also support international HA/DR operations, such as in the Maldives in 2014, the Philippines in 2013 and in Colombo after cyclone “Roanu”.
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The ex-Chines MING class submarine Nr. 356, renamed BNS NABJATRA (Photos: Bangladesh Navy)The ex-Chines MING class submarine Nr. 356, renamed BNS NABJATRA (Photos: Bangladesh Navy)

ESD: What do you think is needed for an effective approach to counter the arising threats and challenges?

Admiral Musa: Today, maritime threats have become widely diversified. We need to share information and help each other by identifying and combatting these threats, not only to ensure safety and security at sea, but also to reduce any misperceptions of a situation in order to avoid an escalation. It helps to develop a right perception on the threat and the measures to be taken by both maritime agencies on either side A good example is the introduction of the coordinated patrols(CORPAT) in June 2018, with our frigate BNS ABU BAKR and the offshore patrol vessel BNS DHALESHWARI, and the Indian Navy deploying the SHIVALIK class frigate INS SATPURA and the KAMORTA class corvette INS KADMATT. For the second edition, in October 2019, we took part with our frigate BNS ALI HAIDER, the corvette BNS SHADINOTA and a SWAD Team; the Indian Navy with the destroyer INS RANVIJAY, and the corvette INS KUTHAR.

These of CORPAT-patrols represent a significant improvement in countering transnational maritime threats and in our in naval relations


ESD: Which role does your navy play in the war on terror and counter-piracy operations?

Admiral Musa: We seek to shape a favourable and positive maritime environment towards preserving peace, promoting stability, and maintaining security. Our contribution in the war on terror and the counter-piracy operations has been appreciated for many years now. Together with the Bangladesh Coast Guard, we continuously patrol the northern Bay of Bengal and have succeeded in drastically reducing piracy, armed robbery and petty theft. And we are a proud member of elite maritime task force of the UN. We have been participating in UN missions since 1993, such as the UNIKOM post-Gulf War I in 1997 to patrol in the waters of the Iraq-Kuwaiti border, the Force Riverine Unit in UN Mission UNMISS in Sudan in 2005 until 2012, a Boat Detachment in Ivory Coast, and operated for 11 years off Abidjan between 2005 and 2016, and, since 2010, in the UN Maritime Task Force in Lebanon UNIFIL.

ESD: Cyber defence is becoming a priority in all military domains, not least for navies. What are the major cyber threats for the BN?

Admiral Musa: The Government takes the cyber threat very seriously and launched a comprehensive effort to strengthen our cyber defence. Otherwise, cyber-attacks will increasingly become harder to detect and even more difficult to counter. As we are becoming increasingly dependent on connectivity and digitalisation, the vulnerability of the ships and their systems will increase. Therefore, we need new capabilities, more surveillance and an integration of both national and international resources. We are improving our cyber situational awareness and working to acquire necessary expertise and capabilities.
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BNS SAMUDRA JOY, the former US Coast Guard cutter USCGC JARVIS, in the Chittagong Dry Dock (CDD) (Photo: Bangladesh Navy)

ESD: People are the key element in naval forces. Many navies in the world are facing retention problems. Is this problem affecting your navy and what challenges does your navy face when recruiting and retaining people?

Admiral Musa: Today the people of Bangladesh have a greater expectation about quality of life to be rendered to them. Consequently, we are taking the necessary steps to improve our quality of life, work, and leadership. Job satisfaction leads to better productivity, retention and efficient performance. The navy provides education, professional training, post-retirement job opportunities, and family support in case of injury or loss of life during service. Our welfare schemes are comparable to those in the private and civil sector.

ESD: What will be the greatest challenges the BN will have to face in coming years?

Admiral Musa: The maritime domain is central to our security and prosperity, so it’s essential that we prepare for a wide range of contingencies. The modernisation and enhancement of the Navy’s capabilities is an on-going process to meet emerging maritime challenges and threats. Like most of the world’s navies, we face a wide array of challenges. Work is ongoing in how we can overcome these through acquiring state of the art platforms, development information technology and digital transformation, indigenous development and self-reliance, enhance surveillance and cyber security, utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI), and recruiting and training skilled human resources.

ESD: What is the way ahead for the Bangladesh Navy?

Admiral Musa: The Bangladesh Navy is well on course to become a credible three-dimensional force. As aforementioned, the introduction of a series of new platforms with much greater endurance and capability will allow us to increase our capabilities on, below and above the surface. Mod-ernisation, efficient manning, and self-reliance will remain the key driving factors for our innovation process. I dare say that we are becoming a credible and self-sustained maritime force, well-suited to meet today’s and tomorrow’s national and regional needs. We are an ‘Available, Adaptive and Affordable force’, always ready to meet the aspirations of our nation​

 

[Saif]

The Transformation of Bangladesh Navy(1971-2022)​

 

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Is our navy unable to protect Bangladeshi merchant ships in the Indian Ocean?

Bangladeshi ship hijacked by Somalian pirates on Indian Ocean

All crew members on board; pirates have taken control of vessel, says company that owns the ship

www.thedailystar.net

Bangladeshi ship hijacked by Somalian pirates on Indian Ocean​

All crew members on board; pirates have taken control of vessel, says ship-owning company

A Bangladesh-flagged cargo vessel, MV Abdullah, was hijacked in the Indian Ocean by a group of Somalian pirates around noon today, and all crew members of the vessel are being held hostage on board, officials said.

MV Abdullah was heading for Al Hamriyah Port of UAE carrying cargo coal from Mozambique's Maputo port when the pirates attack.

According to sources, the vessel has 23 crew members and belongs to Bangladeshi organisation SR Shipping Lines, a sister concern of Chattogram-based Kabir Steel and Rerolling Mill (KSRM) Group.

Confirming the news, KSRM's media adviser Mizanul Islam told The Daily Star, "We came to know that the vessel was under attack by pirates in the Indian Ocean. Twenty-three crew members are reportedly in a safe space inside the vessel's cabins while the pirates have taken control of the ship."

"We are trying to establish communication with them," he added.

Captain Anam Chowdhury, president of Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers' Association, told The Daily Star, "We received a WhatsApp message from a hostage that pirates took over the vessel and they were locked inside the cabins. The pirates have heavy arms and ammunition."

"The crew have sought support and help from us. We are trying to talk to government high-ups," he added. KSRM group has a total of 23 vessels operating on different international routes. MV Abdullah, earlier known as Golden Hawk, was bought by KSRM group last year.

Of the 23 crew members, 11 are from Chattogram.

The crew members are: Captain Mohammad Abdur Rashid, Chief Officer Mohammed Atikullah Khan, 2nd Officer Mazharul Islam Chowdhury, 3rd Officer Md Tarequl Islam, Deck Cadet Md Sabbir Hossain, Chief Engineer ASM Saiduzzaman, 2nd Engineer Md Toufiqul Islam, 3rd Engineer Md Rokan Uddin, 4th Engineer Tanveer Ahmad, Engine Cadet Ayub Khan, Electrician Ibrahim Khalil Ullah, AB Md Anwarul Haque, AB Md Asifur Rahman, AB Sazzad Hossain, OS Joy Mahmud, OS Md Najmul Haque, OS Ainul Haque, Oiler Mohammed Shamsuddin, Oiler Md Ali Hossain, Fireman Mosharaf Hosasin Sakil, Chief Cook Md Shafiqul Islam, GS Md Noor Uddin, and Fitter Md Saleh Ahmed.

On December 5, 2010, another vessel, MV Jahan Moni of the then Brave Royal Shipping Line, the sister concern of SR Shipping, was hijacked by pirates in the Arabian Sea off the coast of India.
Twenty-five crew members and the wife of chief officer were held captive by the pirates and rescued after nearly 100 days.​

 

[Saif]

 

[Saif]

We need a powerful Ocean going navy to protect our merchant ships from sea pirates in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea.

Hijacked Bangladeshi ship: Pirates demand $5 million as ransom

Breaking News, International News & Multimedia

thedailynewnation.com

Hijacked Bangladeshi ship: Pirates demand $5 million as ransom
14 Mar 2024, 12:00 am

Special Correspondent :

The government of Bangladesh has reported that the 23 crews of MV Abdullah, currently held hostage by Somali pirates, are safe, and concerted efforts are underway to secure their release.

Negotiations are actively taking place between relevant departments and the pirates, reminiscent of the successful liberation of Bangladeshi crews from Somali captivity back in 2010.

According to sources within the Foreign Ministry and Shipping Ministry, the government is closely monitoring the situation, with the ship still within its surveillance radar as the pirates gradually steer it towards Somalia.

Despite the gravity of the situation, some crew members have managed to establish contact with their families, urging them to facilitate their rescue from the clutches of the pirates, who are reportedly demanding a ransom of around $5 million.

“We have initiated communication with the pirates through intermediaries.

There are various agencies experienced in negotiating with Somali pirates, including those who were involved in the successful rescue mission in 2010,” disclosed a senior official from the Department of Shipping (DoS), speaking on condition of anonymity.

Some family members of the abducted crew have taken the initiative to reach out to the owner of the ship, the KSRM Group in Chattogram, hoping to contribute to the efforts for their release.

Among the 23 crew members, 11 hail from Chattogram alone, two are from Noakhali, and one each from Natore, Naogaon, Feni, Faridpur, Lakshmipur, Barishal, Netrakona, Sirajganj, Tangail, and Khulna.

As of now, the government of Bangladesh has not disclosed any details regarding the ransom demanded by the pirates.

Khalid Mahmud, the State Minister for Shipping, assured reporters at the Secretariat on Wednesday that intensive efforts are underway to secure the release of the MV Abdullah’s crew.

However, Mahmud acknowledged the complexity of the situation, stating that the captors are not ordinary individuals but pirates.

He highlighted that certain organisations are equipped to negotiate with the pirates and emphasised the government’s commitment to ensuring the swift and safe return of both the crew and the vessel.

Regarding the location of the ship, Mahmud mentioned that it is currently positioned approximately 600 nautical miles off the Somali coast. While the exact identity of the pirates remains unknown, he indicated that they are likely from the region.

Mahmud reiterated the government’s unwavering determination to repatriate the crew without compromising their safety.

Despite concerns about potential threats to the crew’s lives, Mahmud stated that there has been no official indication of such risks, emphasising the government’s priority to bring the crew back home unharmed.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has issued directives to the Foreign Ministry and other relevant authorities to ensure the safe return of the crew members of the hijacked ship.

The vessel, owned by SR Shipping, a company under the KSRM Group based in Chattogram, fell prey to Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean while en route from Mozambique to Dubai. All 23 crew members aboard the ship are Bangladeshi nationals.

Shahriar Jahan Rahat, Deputy Managing Director of KSRM Group, assured the media that the company is prioritizing the rescue efforts for the 23 crew members. The crew roster includes Captain Mohammad Abdur Rashid, Chief Officer Mohammad Atikullah Khan, Second Officer Mazharul Islam Chowdhury, Third Officer Tarequl Islam, Deck Cadet Sabbir Hossain, Chief Engineer ASM Saiduzzaman, Second Officer Toufiqul Islam, Third Engineer Rokon Uddin, Fourth Engineer Tanvir Ahmed, Engine Cadet Ayub Khan, electrician Ibrahim Khalil, seaman Md Anwarul Haque, seaman Md Asifur Rahman, seaman Sazzad Hossain, seaman Joy Mahmud, seaman Nazmul Haque, seaman Ainul Haque, oiler Mohammad Shamsuddin, Ali Hossain, fireman Mosharraf Hossain Shakil, chief cook Shafiqul Islam, general steward Nur Uddin, and fitter Saleh Ahmed.

Notably, KSRM Group owns a fleet of 23 ships, all engaged in international routes. In a similar incident in 2010, one of their vessels, ‘MV Zahan Moni,’ was hijacked by Somali pirates but later released after a ransom was provided.​

 

[Saif]

Brand new patrol craft for Bangladesh Navy. Most probably, gift from Japan.