Leaders of the Shippers’ Council of Bangladesh (SCB) and representatives of the Ocean Centre initiative have discussed potential collaboration to promote maritime safety and develop a sustainable ocean economy in Bangladesh.
The meeting, held recently, was chaired by Md Rezaul Karim, with participation from senior officials of SCB, including Senior Vice Chairman Syed Md Bakhtiar and Vice Chairman Ataur Rahman Khan.
The Ocean Centre delegation was led by Patricia Furtado and included Shahamin S Zaman, Commodore (retd) Syed Ariful Islam, and Captain (retd) M A Mukit Khan.
Welcoming the delegation, the SCB chairman highlighted the growing importance of maritime safety and sustainability for Bangladesh, noting the country’s expanding trade, port development, fisheries, and offshore opportunities.
“The maritime sector is central to our economic growth. Ensuring safety, sustainability, and workforce development is essential for long-term progress,” he said.
The Ocean Centres initiative, developed by the UN Global Compact in partnership with Lloyd’s Register Foundation, aims to support safer and more sustainable ocean economies in emerging countries, including Bangladesh.
During the meeting, both sides identified several areas for collaboration, including shipping and port safety, private sector engagement in maritime sustainability, policy dialogue, promotion of green logistics, research and data sharing, and capacity-building initiatives.
SCB directors expressed interest in strengthening institutional cooperation and promoting multi-stakeholder engagement involving exporters, importers, financial institutions, and government agencies through workshops and seminars.
Patricia Furtado emphasised the need for inclusive collaboration among government, private sector, academia, and civil society to address safety challenges and unlock sustainable growth in the blue economy.
Both sides agreed to continue dialogue and explore joint initiatives to promote safe, resilient, and sustainable maritime trade and logistics.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to support Bangladesh’s transition towards a safer and more sustainable ocean economy.
