[🇧🇩-Navy] Bangladesh Navy's Role In Blue Economy

[Saif]

Date of Event: Nov 1, 2024

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c2CjhSi24w

Blue ইকোনমি বাস্তবায়নে বাংলাদেশ নৌবাহিনীর ভূমিকা কতটুকু?

 

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Devising a blue economic zone for Bangladesh

The Blue Economy offers a suite of opportunities for sustainable, environment friendly, equitable growth in both traditional and emerging sectors of Bangladesh, which is one of the maritime nations of South Asia. This can be capitalised by devising an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) targeting th

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Devising a blue economic zone for Bangladesh
Mir Shariful Bashar
Published :
Apr 09, 2025 00:07
Updated :
Apr 09, 2025 00:07

The Blue Economy offers a suite of opportunities for sustainable, environment friendly, equitable growth in both traditional and emerging sectors of Bangladesh, which is one of the maritime nations of South Asia. This can be capitalised by devising an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) targeting the ocean resources. There is huge potential for attracting investment from the global business community who are pursuing sea-based investment portfolios.

Context of the Blue Economic Zones: With its extensive coastline and access to the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh has a great potential for a thriving blue economy that emphasises modern technology-based deep-sea fishing, marine transportation, sustainable energy production, bio-prospecting and conservation, sustainable use of living ocean resources.

It is estimated that Bangladesh has achieved 118,813 square kilometers of the Bay of Bengal (Mostofa et al., 2018). The areas of resources include 200 nautical miles of exclusive economic zone and more than 354 nautical miles of resources on seabed (continental shelf). It is estimated that the resources from the sea of Bangladesh constitute 81 per cent of the resources existing in its land territory. An oft-mentioned asset is the more than 120 million square kilometers of marine territory, continental shelf, and inshore waters as well as the long brackish water resources for aquaculture.

Rationale for the Proposed Project Idea: It supports all of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 14 ‘life below water’, and recognises that this will require ambitious, coordinated actions to sustainably manage, protect and preserve our ocean. Bangladesh can catch fish from up to 660 kilometers from the Bay of Bengal but its trawlers now tap fisheries from only up to 60 kilometers owing to lack of capacity as well as facilitation (Year Book Of Fisheries Statistics of Bangladesh 2022-2023). For instance, in 2023 the country caught only 95,000 tons of fish in contrast to 8 million tons by India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand from the Bay of Bengal. And Bangladeshi trawlers accounted for 11 per cent of the total catch in the region last year. Some 69,000 mechanised and non-mechanised boats and about 200 industrial steel body trawlers are engaged in fishing in up to 60 kilometers from the coastline. And yet, there is hardly any capability of catching demurral fishes below 50 meter depth of water. Logline fishing is totally absent in deep sea waters of our territory. There is tremendous scope for increasing marine resource extraction (not only fishing) by introducing technology, long line and incentives for bigger ocean-based facilities. Other marine sub-sectors also hold immense economic promise for the nation.

Goals and Objectives of developing a Blue Economic Zone: The goal of devising a Blue Economic Zone in Bangladesh through the mainstreaming and institutionalisation of the blue economy is to improve sectoral performance in coastal and offshore marine fisheries, aquaculture, and other marine-based sub-sectors in order to meet the sustainable development goals (SDGs) associated with the blue economy and leverage wider opportunities for Bangladesh. Moreover, operationalising the blue economy by enhancing existing value chains and creating new value chains with sustainability through a multi-sectoral strategy would help bridge the gap between the public and private sectors, as well attract more foreign direct investment into these unexplored sectors for exporting to the untapped markets.

Recommendations on the Potential Sectors for the Exclusive Economic Zone: The blue horizon of the Bay of Bengal has a great potential for the following sub-sectors to be operated under an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) through PPP model – which can be served as a multi-sectoral economic hub. Some key target sectors include:

Deep-sea fishing using modern technology

As a key component - a multinational / transnational PPP model of engagements can be commissioned with the Deep Sea Fishing model, which is supported by all-in-one ship-mounted fish processing facilities for instant export linking with the deep sea ports using the technical facilities of the “Bangladesh Satellite-1 (BS-1)” & AI / data analytics. A package deal under PPP programme can cover all the support needed for fishing data intelligence, loan provision for fishing equipment and facilities, subsidised fuel, and operating costs.
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• Fish processing & export hubs in onshore facilities.​
• Salted & Dehydrated fish processing facilities (off-shore / on-shore facilitation )​
• Extraction of Fish oils from fish processing (as an value added input of pharmaceuticals & toiletries)​
• Mari-culture & Aquaculture (shrimp, tuna farming, seaweed farming).​
• Deep-sea mining for minerals & natural resources​
• Developing Marine minerals mining Hub​
• Extracting pharmaceutical components from marine organisms.​
• Offshore oil and gas extraction (controlled exploration).​
• Production of marine food & food supplements​
• Sea SALT production (Modern Technology based SALT production & processing)​
• Algae-based food & biofuel production (e.g., Spirulina, Omega-3 oils).​
• Scalable Marine Food & Biotechnology components Production facilities with a specific focus in Health & Nutation (Medication, Cosmeceuticals and food supplements like:SPIRULINA )​
• Energy/ Ocean renewable energy generation units​
• PPP based Power Generation using the Wind (Offshore wind mills), Tidal & Sea waves energy – which is Greenenergy power plants & environment responsive.​
• Marine Transportation & Logistic Hub (Shipping & Logistics)​
• Maritime Trade routes & transits (PPP based Port activities &facilities for the FTZs, EZs & SEZs)​
• Ship building , repair, maintenance & scrap ship breaking hub​
• Exclusive & value added Water leisure (Zone for scuba diving), coastal tourism, Multi-country Sea Cruise (Marine Tourism, Eco-tourism, Cruise & recreation, regional integrated tourism etc.)​
• Promote the totally GREEN & environment friendly Economic Zone concept as the Natural Climate Buffer for whole the Universe.​

It is the high time for Bangladesh to take advantage of unemployed youth by creating more jobs opportunities for them. Bangladesh government should go ahead with government and non-government joint investments (particularly by FDI) through well-timed actions enacting exhaustive rules and regulations to ensure proper use of marine resources at the blue economic zones. If Bangladesh can utilise her marine resources efficiently, it is quite easily possible for her to be a middle-income country within a short period of time.

Expected Results of the Blue Economic Zone Projects: The outcome of the development is an inclusive, equitable, self-reliant and sustainable Economy. It will include but not be limited to the following outcomes:
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• Creating scopes for attracting FDI in multifarious business opportunities.​
• Increasing export volume & diversify export destinations.​
• Generating employment opportunities for the coastal population.​
• Skill based employment Generation for the country.​
• Creating more formal economic sectors in national business portfolios.​
• Creating PPP based EZ success cases in Bangladesh​
• Combating protein deficiency of the mass population as a sideline initiative​

The benefits and impacts of this project include boosting the national economy, fostering a marine resources-based business community, attracting sector-specific investors especially the large Investors, and ultimately benefiting marginal Fishermen and Costal people.

A Proposal on the territory & scale of the zone by practicable phases: Bangladesh has got a significant maritime area of 118,813 sq. km (including the designated areas of BBEZ and the continental shelf). Having such vast maritime area of the Bay of Bengal doesn’t mean Bangladesh should use it all at once. We may develop the area in phases. It is more practical and effective to use a selective approach, identifying the most appropriate zones first, rather than distributing resources throughout the whole marine domain. It would be preferable to carry out a phase-based implementation rather than operating throughout the Bay of Bengal as proposed below:

Phase 1: Use contemporary technologies to map marine resources.
Phase 2: Choose areas according to depth, seabed resources, fish stocks, and economic potentials.
Phase 3: Establish a pilot economic zone close to Moheshkhali and progressively expand it in response to the findings.
Bangladesh can identify high-yield regions for economic activity by using satellite data, maritime surveys, GIS mapping, and professional data analysis.

Strategies recommended for ensuring security: It is crucial to protect the Exclusive EZ’s security and sovereignty. Here are a few key strategic recommendations:
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• Robust policy support with EEZ laws & regulations for resource management.​
• Exclusive marine economic laws to govern trade and investment (FDI).​
• Military-backed surveillance for enforcement.​
• Naval & Coast Guard presence to monitor foreign activities.​
• Satellite surveillance & radar systems for tracking navigations.​
• Automated tracking (tech based) of fishing fleets & cargo ships.​
• Defining clear maritime boundaries with neighboring countries (India, Myanmar etc).​
• Engaging in regional security partnerships (BIMSTEC etc).​
• On shore /off shore Support Team & Support Centers; and regular R&D.​
• Consultation with successful countries & accessing Regional Cooperation by International Treaties.​

Challenges ahead & way forward: There are several challenges to overcome while establishing this EZ. These are:
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• Depletion of marine resources due to overfishing.​
• Marine pollution from industrial activities.​
• Devastation of ecosystems as a result of energy extraction and mining.​
• Conflicts with neighboring countries (India, Myanmar etc)​
• Illegal fishing by foreign/ unregistered vessels.​
• Smuggling & piracy threats.​
• High cost of infrastructure development led investment.​
• Need for large-scale foreign direct investment (FDI) and good ROI to support it.​
• Lack of sophisticated maritime technologies in Bangladesh.​
• Shortage of skilled manpower in marine industries (huge training program needed).​
• Huge Dependency on foreign expertise & machinery and target markets.​

The engagements should be focused on various action based elements such as:
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• Marine fisheries and coastal land based aquaculture and mariculture.​
• Synergies with fisheries and mariculture.​
• Designate Marine Protected Areas for Conservation Purpose.​
• Bonded fishing licence based operation​
• Value added marine tourism (especially eco and recreational tourism)​
• Renewable as well as fossil-based energy exploration​
• Transport and related logistics​
• Mining and exploration of energy resources (Gas, petroleum).​
• Developing marine related education institutes and diversifying culture.​
• Facility building for offshore EZ support​
• County branding to attract FDI in blue economy-based initiatives​

The success of this initiative critically depends on:
​

• Strategic and data-driven site selection for phase based development (rather than considering the entire sea area).​
• Result based planning (feedback from Piloting) & stake holder engagements (Marine Business Associations, Security Agencies, Govt. agencies etc)​
• Diversified use of the BBEZ for multiple industries (fisheries, energy, tourism, biotech, marine logistics etc).​
• Robust security measures (naval, legal, technological, climate issues etc).​
• Addressing environmental, geopolitical, social (coastal livelihood), economic, and technological challenges properly.​
• Following a long-term Master Plan (for 50 years++).​

Concluding Remarks: The distinct selling point of the idea of ‘Blue Economic Zone’ is that it represents an unexplored economic sector for the country where planned investment can yield higher return in a shorter period of time, with the potential to add more innovative components. A “Blue Economic Zone” has great prospects to draw Foreign Direct Investment, boost value-added Exports, and generate employment in underdeveloped areas of the country. By establishing Exclusive Blue Economic Zones, Bangladesh may leverage the opportunities of Ocean Economy to diversify its economy, enhance environmental resilience and reduce poverty. However, this calls for sustainable attitude, strategic investments through FDI, and powerful leadership. Bangladesh might serve as a global model for a prosperous Blue Economic Zones if the Bay of Bengal’s resources are used efficiently.​

 

[Saif]

Blue economy: Rich in promise, poor in practice

Several years have passed since Bangladesh successfully resolved its long-standing maritime boundary disputes with Myanmar and India -- an achievement widely hailed as historic. Yet, with the passage of time, a quiet unease has set in. The verdicts of the international tribunals were not merely abo

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Blue economy: Rich in promise, poor in practice


Published :
Jan 08, 2026 23:25
Updated :
Jan 08, 2026 23:25

Several years have passed since Bangladesh successfully resolved its long-standing maritime boundary disputes with Myanmar and India -- an achievement widely hailed as historic. Yet, with the passage of time, a quiet unease has set in. The verdicts of the international tribunals were not merely about drawing lines on nautical charts; they symbolised the opening of a vast horizon of opportunity. That horizon, often described as the promise of the "blue economy," still remains unexplored. Following the rulings, there were animated discussions among relevant quarters about the urgency of unlocking the ocean's economic potential through coherent policies and institutional readiness. Those discussions, however, have not translated into meaningful action. Apart from the establishment of a small "cell" under the Energy Division, little substantial has been done to develop a structured programme for marine exploration and sustainable utilisation. The result of this prolonged inaction has been two-fold: while the country has failed to harness its marine wealth, the seas have increasingly borne the cost of neglect.

A recent multinational marine fisheries and ecosystem survey brings this reality into sharp focus. Presented to the Chief Adviser, the findings reflect both promise and peril. Conducted over a month between August 21 and September 21 last year, the survey involved 25 scientists from eight countries, including 13 Bangladeshi researchers. It confirms the vast aquatic potential of Bangladesh's deep-sea waters and identifies a critical fish nursery beneath the Sundarbans mangrove forest. Yet the same study warns of mounting pressure from overfishing, aggressive industrial practices and the reckless spread of plastic pollution. The evidence is alarming. Plastic waste has been detected at depths of up to 2,000 metres, a stark reminder that marine pollution knows no bounds. Comparisons with a 2018 study reveal a sharp decline in large fish species in deep waters, while stocks in shallow coastal areas are dwindling at an alarming rate. Officials point out that between 270 and 280 large trawlers currently operate in deep-sea fishing, with around 70 employing targeted fishing-an aggressive method that boosts profits for large operators but devastates ecosystems and marginalises small-scale fishers who depend on coastal waters.

Now, it is worth recalling the scale of what Bangladesh secured through international arbitration. From the disputed area in the Bay of Bengal claimed by India, Bangladesh gained 19,467 square kilometres out of 25,602. Against Myanmar, it upheld its claim to a 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone and territorial rights. These were not symbolic victories; but strategic gains. Yet, preparation and planning have lagged far behind required actions. A domain that demands specialised knowledge and long-term vision has not been entrusted adequately to experts.

The case for a well-empowered, dedicated authority to oversee the blue economy is therefore compelling. Such a body could provide a coherent framework for exploration, implementation and monitoring, while also designing viable and responsible business models for investors. Without decisive institutional leadership the blue economy risks its consignment to a mere evocative phrase -- rich in promise, poor in practice.​

 

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Maritime skills development is key to expanding Bangladesh’s blue economy

Bangladesh’s maritime sectors, particularly shipbuilding and ship recycling, are entering a phase where future competitiveness will depend less on labour availability and more on skill intensity, safety compliance, and technological capability.

www.thedailystar.net

Maritime skills development is key to expanding Bangladesh’s blue economy

Ahamedul Karim Chowdhury

Infrastructure development cannot ensure competitiveness without a corresponding investment in human capital. FILE PHOTO: STAR

Bangladesh’s maritime sectors, particularly shipbuilding and ship recycling, are entering a phase where future competitiveness will depend less on labour availability and more on skill intensity, safety compliance, and technological capability. While the country continues to benefit from a large and cost-competitive workforce, persistent shortages of certified welders, marine technicians, supervisors, and quality-control personnel are constraining productivity and limiting the industry’s ability to move up the value chain. At the same time, a significant proportion of workers in shipyards and recycling facilities still acquire skills informally, often in high-risk environments, resulting in avoidable accidents, inconsistent quality, and reduced operational efficiency.

This disconnect between labour supply and skill readiness is emerging as a structural bottleneck at a time when Bangladesh is seeking to diversify exports, strengthen industrial capacity, and position itself within the blue economy. As policy attention shifts towards employment generation, industrial upgrading, and sustainable growth, the need for a structured and industry-aligned maritime skills ecosystem has become more pronounced. Shipbuilding and ship recycling clearly illustrate this gap: both sectors have demonstrated scale and resilience, but their long-term competitiveness will increasingly depend on the quality of human capital rather than its quantity.

Over the past two decades, Bangladesh’s shipbuilding industry has made notable progress, evolving from small coastal vessel construction to exporting oceangoing ships to international markets. Local shipyards have established a presence in segments such as small and medium-sized vessels, supported by competitive labour costs and growing technical capability. The sector employs a substantial workforce and has the potential to benefit from rising global demand for feeder vessels, inland waterway transport, and specialised ships. However, the absence of a structured pipeline of certified and technically trained workers continues to limit productivity improvements and technological upgrading.

The situation is more acute in the ship recycling sector. Bangladesh remains one of the world’s leading ship recycling destinations, with yards in Sitakunda playing a critical role in supplying scrap steel to the domestic economy. Despite its economic importance, the sector faces persistent scrutiny regarding its lack of occupational safety and environmental standards. A significant number of workers enter the industry without formal training, increasing exposure to workplace risks and undermining compliance with emerging global standards.

These challenges are likely to intensify as international regulatory expectations evolve. The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships is gradually gaining traction, and compliance is increasingly influencing the commercial decisions made by shipowners, financiers, and insurers. In parallel, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations are becoming central to global supply chains. In this context, countries that fail to professionalise their workforce and align with safety and environmental standards risk losing competitiveness and market access.

Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated and institutional response. Establishing a dedicated shipbuilding and ship recycling academy under the state-run Bangladesh Maritime University can be a practical, implementable pathway. Rather than creating entirely new infrastructure, the initiative could build upon existing technical institutes—particularly those located in or around Chattogram—while integrating academic oversight, industry participation, and internationally recognised certification frameworks.

Such an academy could develop specialised curricula covering both shipbuilding and recycling. In shipbuilding, training modules may include marine engineering fundamentals, advanced welding techniques, computer-aided design (CAD), automation systems, quality assurance, and production management. In ship recycling, programmes should focus on occupational safety, hazardous material handling, environmental compliance, waste management, and emergency response. Aligning certification with international standards would not only improve domestic productivity but also enhance the global employability of Bangladeshi workers.

An integrated institutional approach would also enable a lifecycle perspective, linking ship design, construction, operation, and dismantling within a single knowledge framework. This would strengthen Bangladesh’s positioning within circular economy principles and reinforce its commitment to sustainable industrial practices. Locating the academy near major industrial clusters would facilitate industry-academia collaboration, allowing apprenticeships, internships, and on-site training to be embedded within formal education pathways.

The economic benefits of such an initiative are considerable. A skilled workforce enhances productivity, reduces operational inefficiencies, and lowers the incidence of workplace accidents, thereby reducing associated economic and social costs. Improved compliance with safety and environmental standards would strengthen Bangladesh’s reputation in global markets, making its ship recycling sector more attractive to international stakeholders. At the same time, the development of certified maritime skills could open opportunities in the global labour market.

Several advanced shipbuilding nations, including South Korea and Japan, are facing labour shortages in technical and production roles due to demographic transitions. Bangladesh has the potential to position itself as a supplier of trained maritime professionals, similar to how the Philippines has successfully developed a global seafaring workforce. Structured training and internationally recognised certification could enable Bangladeshi workers to access higher-value employment opportunities abroad, contributing to remittance growth while strengthening bilateral industrial linkages.

Conversely, the cost of inaction is likely to be significant. Continued reliance on low-cost, low-skilled labour is unlikely to be sustainable in an increasingly technology-driven and compliance-oriented global maritime industry. Without systematic skills development, Bangladesh risks remaining trapped in a low-value segment of the industry, facing increasing competition from more technologically advanced and better-regulated competitors, while also exposing its workforce to preventable risks.

From an implementation perspective, the proposed academy does not require extensive new legislation or large-scale capital investment. Bangladesh Maritime University can provide academic oversight and accreditation, while relevant ministries and the National Skills Development Authority can ensure alignment with national qualifications frameworks. Industry stakeholders can play a direct role in curriculum design and training delivery, ensuring that programmes remain responsive to evolving market needs. This public–academic–industry partnership model would enhance both relevance and long-term sustainability.

Bangladesh has already made substantial investments in maritime infrastructure, including ports, inland waterways, and logistics systems. However, infrastructure development alone cannot ensure competitiveness without a corresponding investment in human capital. The effectiveness of these investments ultimately depends on the availability of skilled professionals capable of operating and managing increasingly complex systems.

At a time when the country is seeking to strengthen its industrial base and expand its participation in the blue economy, prioritising maritime skills development represents a strategic and timely intervention. Establishing a shipbuilding and ship recycling academy would provide a structured mechanism to bridge the gap between labour supply and industry requirements, improve safety and environmental performance, and enhance Bangladesh’s position in the global maritime economy.

Ahamedul Karim Chowdhury, adjunct faculty at Bangladesh Maritime University, is a maritime, logistics, and supply chain policy analyst.​