Bangladesh engages ports, shipyards and maritime stakeholders to shape green shipping transition
With one of the world’s largest inland water transport networks, a growing shipbuilding industry, a globally significant ship recycling sector, and millions of people relying on waterways for trade and mobility, Bangladesh’s maritime sector plays a vital role in the country’s economy and connectivity.
As Bangladesh advances efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping while supporting continued economic growth, a four-day consultation mission was undertaken to inform the development of the country’s National Action Plan (NAP) for green shipping.
Led by the Department of Shipping (DoS) under the Ministry of Shipping, with support from IMO’s GreenVoyage2050 Programme, the mission brought together government authorities, ports, shipyards, vessel operators, training institutions and other maritime stakeholders across Chattogram, Dhaka, Mongla, and Narayanganj.
Discussions explored opportunities to reduce emissions from domestic shipping, alongside the policy, technical and financial challenges that may affect implementation. Participants shared perspectives on port operations, fleet modernization, shipbuilding and ship recycling, workforce skills, institutional coordination and investment needs.
Visits to major ports and shipyards provided an opportunity to assess current operations and identify practical measures that could improve energy efficiency, support the uptake of cleaner technologies and strengthen the long-term competitiveness of Bangladesh’s maritime industries.
“This mission provided an important opportunity to hear directly from the organizations that operate, regulate and support Bangladesh’s maritime sector,” said Mohammed Obaid Bashir, National Co-ordinator for Greenvoyage2050 in Bangladesh at the Department of Shipping. “The insights gathered will help ensure that the National Action Plan reflects national priorities and identifies measures that are both practical and achievable.”
The findings will inform the next stage of NAP development, including the identification of priority actions, implementation arrangements and areas where additional support may be needed to accelerate the transition to greener shipping.
About the GreenVoyage2050 Programme
GreenVoyage2050 is a major technical cooperation programme of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), supporting developing countries in their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping in line with the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy. Now in its second phase (2024 – 2030), the programme helps partnering countries develop national policies, action plans and pilot projects, and build the partnerships needed for an effective and equitable transition to low- and zero-carbon shipping. Learn more at https://greenvoyage2050.imo.org
