Dhaka: The government has embarked on a significant initiative aimed at transforming the shipbuilding and ship-recycling industries into safe, environment-friendly, and sustainable sectors. Separate meetings were convened at the Secretariat on Thursday to assess existing laws, policies, and challenges faced by these industries and to formulate recommendations for their sustainable development, as reported in a PID handout released on Friday.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the meetings were chaired by Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo and hosted at his ministry’s conference room. Industries Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir and State Minister for Shipping Razib Ahsan participated as special guests. The discussions focused on various aspects integral to the sustainable development of the shipbuilding and ship recycling sectors, emphasizing environmental protection, workers’ safety, compliance with international standards, technological advancements, workforce skill development, and expansion of financing facilities.
A presentation during the meeting highlighted the economic significance of the ship-recycling industry, noting its role in employment generation, raw material supply to the steel industry, and its potential contribution to the circular economy. It stressed the importance of adhering to international environmental and safety standards, managing hazardous waste safely, treating wastewater, controlling air pollution, restoring soil, and conserving biodiversity. The presentation also underscored the necessity of establishing a national Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility (TSDF), improving hazardous waste treatment, installing incinerators, promoting material reuse, and protecting coastal and mangrove ecosystems.
The need for skilled human resources through training, the establishment of testing laboratories, financial support, and strengthened coordination among relevant institutions was also emphasized. Regarding the shipbuilding industry, another presentation identified Bangladesh’s geographical location, low labor costs, technical capabilities, and market potential as competitive advantages. It highlighted the need for modern dry docks, modular shipbuilding, export-oriented shipyards, technological modernization, research and development, and skilled manpower development.
Discussions also addressed the necessity for the shipbuilding industry to adapt to global maritime sector changes, citing major trends such as the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Net-Zero Framework, alternative and low-carbon fuels, liquefied natural gas (LNG), green steel, carbon trading, and smart shipyards. The meetings underscored the need for enhanced financing facilities, including green finance, government guarantees, public-private partnerships, and export credit for the industry’s long-term development.
Participants emphasized the importance of identifying existing problems and obstacles, formulating practical recommendations, ensuring compliance with international standards, and preparing future action plans with a focus on environmental protection and workers’ safety. Coordinated efforts were deemed essential to make Bangladesh’s ship-related industries more environment-friendly, technologically advanced, and safe, while enhancing their global competitiveness.
Finance Secretary Dr. Md. Khairuzzaman Mozumder, Industries Secretary Abdun Naser Khan, along with representatives from relevant ministries, divisions, departments, agencies, and stakeholders of the two sectors, attended the meetings.