[🇧🇩] Ship Building Industry in Bangladesh

[Saif]

Govt likely to consider shipbuilding as thrust sector: Rabiul

Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Wednesday said the government may consider the shipbuilding industry as a “thrust sector” to increase export earnings through extensive employment generation and higher value addition. Responding to a tabled starred question from BNP lawmaker Joy

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Govt likely to consider shipbuilding as thrust sector: Rabiul

BSS

Published :
Jun 25, 2026 17:41
Updated :
Jun 25, 2026 17:41

Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Wednesday said the government may consider the shipbuilding industry as a “thrust sector” to increase export earnings through extensive employment generation and higher value addition.

Responding to a tabled starred question from BNP lawmaker Joynal Abdin in Parliament, he said providing policy support for the sector is highly justified to help achieve sustainable blue economy goals and export targets by leveraging Bangladesh’s low labour costs, skilled workforce and growing global demand for medium-sized vessels.

The minister noted that shipbuilding is a highly capital-intensive industry and stressed the need for special financial assistance and credit facilities to strengthen the sector.

According to him, ensuring long-term, low-interest loans – such as financing at 4 percent interest – along with export credit support could significantly enhance the capacity of local entrepreneurs and shipyards.

Rabiul also underscored the importance of developing backward linkage industries.

At present, locally built ships generate around 25 to 30 percent value addition, but domestic production of key inputs such as marine cables, marine paints, fibreglass and steel plates could raise the value addition rate to between 45 and 50 percent, he said.

The minister called for customs incentives and tax holidays for export-oriented shipyards, noting that there is substantial international demand for small and medium-sized vessels, particularly those with capacities of up to 12,000 tonnes.

Reducing import duties on raw materials and offering long-term tax holiday facilities will improve the competitiveness of Bangladeshi shipbuilders in the global market, he added.

Rabiul further emphasised the need to develop skilled human resources through modern training institutes specialising in welding, ship design, electrical systems and naval architecture.

Such initiatives could create employment opportunities for thousands of skilled and semi-skilled young people every year, he said.

Highlighting the growing global demand for environment-friendly vessels, particularly in Europe, the minister said Bangladesh must adopt green technologies and comply with international standards to strengthen its position in the global shipbuilding market.

He expressed optimism that proper implementation and simplification of existing initiatives, including the Ship Building Industry Development Policy and Bangladesh Bank’s refinancing schemes, could help the country earn billions of dollars in export revenue from the sector.​

 

[Bilal9]

Ananda shipyard exports 5500-ton multi-purpose ship to Turkey​

Ananda Shipyard & Slipways Ltd has built a 5,500 Deadweight Ton (DWT) multi-purpose ship, "WES WIRE," for export to Turkey.

The ship was handed over to NOPAC Shipping & Trading Ltd at Ananda Shipyard, Meghna Ghat, Narayanganj on Sunday.

Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. M. Sakhawat Hossain, Advisor to Ministry of Shipping and Labour & Employment, was the chief guest at the handing over ceremony. Adilur Rahman Khan, Adviser to Ministry of Industries and Housing & Public Works was special guest on the occasion.

Turkish ambassador to Bangladesh Mr Ramis Sen also attended the event as special guest. The ship will proceed to a sea trial today.

The vessel measures 341 feet long, 55 feet wide and its depth is 25 feet. The ship is powered with a 2,735 HP Wartsila four stroke main engine having a service speed of 12 knots.

It can carry a minimum 5,500 tonnes of diverse cargo including steel coils, coal, fertilizer, food grains, wind mills and hazardous materials.

“Wes Wire,” powered by a 2,735-horsepower engine, can carry 5,500 tons of cargo at a speed of 12 knots per hour | Photo: Ananda Shipyard. According to Ananda Shipyard, “Wes Wire” has been built with advanced design and technology of international standards (DNV). The ship measures 341 feet in length, 55 feet in width, and 25 feet in depth.

The Shipping Adviser expressed his deep satisfaction for building the ship for Turkey and said it is pleasure that our ships are being exported to Europe.

He further observed that if the country had achieved the capability, he would place order for BSC ships in the country's shipyard, not anywhere else.

Dr Abdullahhel Bari, Chairman of Ananda Shipyard & Slipways Ltd., said on this occasion that "Ananda Shipyard has been producing vessels of international standards.

He said with cost effective workforce and firm support of present Government, Bangladesh is looking forward to building and exporting more large ships in the near future.

He highlighted that the government of Bangladesh has declared shipbuilding as a thrust sector and extended policy support and providing incentives to build ship for export.

The sector at present contributes nearly Tk 15,000 crore annually to the exchequer through ship exports, supply of captains, marine engineers and crew on board.

It is also providing fleet for inland and coastal shipping, fishing and look forward to contribute to the development of the country's Blue Economy.

This income is projected to reach Tk 100,000 crore by 2041. Over the years, Ananda Shipyard has delivered more than 350 vessels to both local and international clients.

In 2008, it marked a milestone exporting Bangladesh's first oceangoing container vessel, "Stella Maris," to Denmark. Since then, ships built by Ananda have been delivered to Denmark, Germany, Norway, Mozambique, the United Kingdom, and most recently to Turkey.

Ananda Shipyard operates a 900,000 square-foot shipyard facility capable of constructing up to eight 10,000-DWT vessels simultaneously.

The company also specializes in building dredgers and other complex vessels. At least 10 international-standard ships currently under construction for export at this shipyard.

 

[Bilal9]

Ananda Shipyard exported a 6,100-DWT vessel to UK in 2022.​

Image shows a tug at Ananda Shipyard in Narayanganj. File Photo: Collected

In September 2022, the company exported a 6,100-DWT vessel to the UK-based Enzian Shipping Company Ltd, which was one of the largest vessels exported from Bangladesh at the time.

Speaking at the handover, Adilur Rahman Khan said Bangladesh's shipbuilding law would be modernised to meet contemporary needs. "After the garment sector, shipbuilding is the most important industry. The shipbuilding industry will advance, and diversity must be brought into this sector."

Ananda Shipyard officials said the company has delivered more than 350 vessels to domestic and international clients since Bangladesh first entered the global market in 2008, when Ananda Shipyard exported the container ship Stella Maris to Denmark. Since then, 17 vessels have been supplied to Germany, Norway, Mozambique, the UK and several other countries.

Spread over 9,00,000 square feet, Ananda Shipyard has the capacity to build eight vessels of up to 10,000 DWT at a time, along with dredgers and technologically advanced vessels. With round-the-clock operations, the shipyard has set an important benchmark in Bangladesh's shipbuilding sector, officials said.

Ananda Shipyard & Slipways Ltd Chairman Abdullahhel Bari said, "After 2022, we resumed vessel exports, and the ship now going to Turkey is the largest and most technologically advanced we have sent there so far.

Sonargaon has a tradition of shipbuilding from the middle ages, and Ananda Shipyard has upheld that legacy. Once without guardianship, this important manufacturing sector has progressed with the cooperation of relevant ministries.

However, challenges remain in securing long-term and low-interest financing. As per international practice, about 85% of a vessel's financing comes through bank guarantees, but the remaining 15% – equivalent to Tk25-30 crore ($2.5-3 million) – must be arranged from our own funds.

Banks are often reluctant to provide this portion, causing working capital to remain tied up during production and leading to delays. With proper government support, a strong and competitive shipbuilding industry can be built, which will accelerate the country's development."

Earlier, in July this year, Western Marine Shipyard, based in Chattogram, announced the export of two tugboats to the United Arab Emirates. The 80-tonne bollard pull ASD tug "Gaya" and the 65-tonne bollard pull AHT tug "Khalid" earned the company $1.6 million in export revenue.

Shipbuilding in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has now gained recognition as an emerging shipbuilding nation in the world. Skilled manpower, use of modern technology, and adherence to international standards have accelerated the sector's growth.

Currently, the country has more than 30 large shipyards, several of which directly export vessels to international markets. Within Asia's shipbuilding industry, after China, South Korea and Japan, Bangladesh is gradually making its presence felt. The country is earning an increasing reputation in building medium-sized cargo vessels, container ships, tankers and dredgers.

Although the primary focus remains on meeting domestic demand, exports have grown significantly over the past decade. At present, about 90% of fuel, 70% of cargo and 35% of passenger transport in Bangladesh is carried out through waterways. To meet this vast demand, around 300 shipyards of different sizes have been established, but only 10 of them build export-quality vessels, employing nearly 3,00,000 workers.

According to the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), there are currently over 100 shipbuilding companies and more than 120 registered shipyards, while entrepreneurs estimate around 300 small and large active shipyards in the country.

The domestic ship market is growing at 10-15% annually, whereas exports are increasing at a comparatively slower pace of 5-6% per year. The country's local shipbuilding industry is valued at about $1 billion annually but is poised for a significant takeoff.

With its current capacity, Bangladesh can export around 20 vessels per year. In the international market, the country has strong potential in the segment of small vessels up to 12,000 DWT, such as multipurpose vessels, cargo feeders and passenger ferries for regional services.

In this segment, labour costs play a crucial role and Bangladesh holds a clear advantage with 20-30% lower labour costs compared to other countries.