[🇧🇩] Ship Building Industry in Bangladesh

[Bilal9]

The bulk of Bangladesh ships built locally are ~3000 to 4000 ton (DWT) bulkers and tankers.

Here are some built by yards near Dhaka (Meghna Ghat) and Chittagong.



This is one ship of a fleet of 50 plus. Owner is Mercantile Group and is used in Bangladesh in inland shipping purpose.

MERCANTILE-40, General Cargo Ship - Details and current position - IMO 9834234 - VesselFinder

Vessel MERCANTILE-40 (IMO 9834234) is a General Cargo Ship built in 2020 and currently sailing under the flag of Unknown.

www.vesselfinder.com

Sorry about the resolution of the videos, seems they all used low rez cellphones to record these events.

 

[Bilal9]

Low Rez video of Riverine Tanker launch for ROKNOOR Shipping Lines Ltd. in Bangladesh.
This was a local build at Delta Shipyard Chattogram in Bangladesh.
Design Consultant: Offshore and Marine Engineering Ltd., Samuda Chemicals Ltd.

 

[Bilal9]

Bangladesh exports first ship to Turkey, shipbuilding law to be updated​

TIMES Report September 7, 2025

Photo: Courtesy

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.

 

[Jiangnan]

The funniest joke I've seen is when an Indian says, "We are in all sectors. From high tech automobile to ship building, from defense to space and in nuclear energy."

He must have smoked too many beedi.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

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.

BD has developed some nice capacity in building small ships. BD should consider this a prime focus are and build on the strength developed so far. Subsequently, they can build small warships as well.

 

[Sharma Ji]

Good going, with so many inland waterways, local shipbuilding is a must.

Hulls are not that tough, but engines and nav systems bhi khud banao !

India also still lacks in engine manufacturing, na ship, na plane, not even helo turbines... we make nothing, which is quite pathetic.

 

[Bilal9]

BD has developed some nice capacity in building small ships. BD should consider this a prime focus are and build on the strength developed so far. Subsequently, they can build small warships as well.

They have built up to Corvette level, many of them.

Next is Frigate program - soon.

 

[Bilal9]