Bangladesh exports first ship to Turkey, shipbuilding law to be updated
TIMES Report September 7, 2025
Photo: Courtesy
View attachment 22156
View attachment 22157
In a historic achievement, Bangladesh has exported its first ship to Turkey, marking a significant milestone for the country’s shipbuilding industry. The ship,
Wes Wire, was handed over to Turkish Buyer by
Ananda Shipyard and Slipways Limited in a ceremony held on September 7, 2025, at the company’s premises in Meghna Ghat, Sonargaon, Narayanganj.
The event was inaugurated by Adilur Rahman Khan, Advisor to the Ministry of Industries and Housing and Public Works, who was the chief guest. “After the garment industry, shipbuilding is one of the most important sectors for Bangladesh,” Khan said during the ceremony. “We must diversify and modernize the laws governing shipbuilding to support its growth. We aim to enact new laws, which the next elected government will implement.”
Abdullahil Bari, Chairman of Ananda Shipyard, addressed the challenges the industry faces, particularly securing long-term financing. “Shipbuilding is essential for the nation’s development, but without adequate long-term financing, we cannot keep pace with global demand,” Bari said. “The government’s support in this area is crucial for the sector’s growth.”
The
Wes Wire is 341 feet long, 55 feet wide, and 25 feet deep, with a cargo capacity of 5,500 tons, including steel coils, coal, fertilizer, foodstuff, and hazardous materials. Ananda Shipyard has previously exported ships to Denmark, Germany, Norway, Mozambique, and the United Kingdom.
The ship is powered by a 2,735 horsepower engine and can achieve speeds of 12 knots per hour. Designed with advanced technology and built to international standards,
Wes Wire represents the growing capabilities of Bangladesh’s shipbuilding sector.
Ananda Shipyard has been a leader in Bangladesh’s shipbuilding industry. Since its first export of the container ship
Stella Maris to Denmark in 2008, the company has delivered over 350 ships to both domestic and international clients, significantly contributing to Bangladesh’s reputation as a shipbuilding hub.
Dr Nazma Nowroz, Technical Director at Ananda Shipyard, confirmed that all machinery tests and sea trials were completed before the official handover. “The shipbuilding sector needs strong government support to meet growing international demand for quality ships,” Dr Nowroz said.
The export of
Wes Wire is a major achievement not only for Ananda Shipyard but also for Bangladesh’s shipbuilding industry. With modern infrastructure, Ananda Shipyard has the capacity to build up to eight ships simultaneously, each weighing up to 10,000 tons.
In addition to its export success, Ananda Shipyard is playing a critical role in strengthening the “blue economy,” an initiative aimed at the sustainable development of marine resources. “Shipbuilding is at the heart of the blue economy, and its development is key to Bangladesh’s economic growth,” Dr Nowroz added.
Addressing the broader potential of the shipbuilding sector, Abdullahil Bari said, “Bangladesh has the capacity to build a wide range of vessels, from multi-purpose cargo ships to tankers and dredgers. With the right support, the country could become a global leader in shipbuilding.”
Despite its potential, the industry faces persistent challenges, particularly in securing financing. “In international shipbuilding, about 85 percent of a ship’s financing comes from bank guarantees, while the remaining 15 percent — around 25-30 crore taka — has to be sourced from our own funds,” Bari explained. “It’s challenging to raise such a large amount, as banks are often reluctant to provide this support.”
With over 30 major shipyards in operation, Bangladesh is gradually gaining recognition in the global shipbuilding market, competing on mid-size and smaller-sized builds with industry leaders like China, South Korea, and Japan. Experts suggest that Bangladesh is well-positioned to meet the increasing demand for mid-sized cargo vessels, container ships, and passenger ferries in regional markets.
According to the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), there are more than 100 registered shipbuilding companies in the country, and over 120 shipyards currently operate in Bangladesh, fulfilling local demand for even larger marine vessels since Pakistan era (1947). In recent years, the domestic shipbuilding market has grown by 10-15 percent annually, though exports have increased more slowly, by just 5-6 percent per year.
The sector is on track to export around 20 ships annually with its current capacity. As demand for smaller ships in regional markets grows, Bangladesh is poised to strengthen its presence in the global shipbuilding industry.
Bangladesh Defense
