MACN Bangladesh launches anti-corruption drive in maritime sector
A joint committee has also been formed to monitor NOC procedures and prevent misuse, marking a major step toward fairness, efficiency, and integrity at Chattogram Port.
The "Say No to Corruption in the Maritime Sector" campaign was officially launched yesterday (28 October), marking a key step in promoting integrity and transparency across Bangladesh's maritime industry.
The event, organized by MACN Bangladesh, brought together over 100 participants from various segments of the maritime community. The Commissioner of Customs House, Chattogram, and the Managing Director of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation attended and reaffirmed their commitment to fighting corruption in their sectors.
Commodore Syed Ariful Islam, Project Lead of MACN Bangladesh, opened the session with an overview of MACN's initiatives in the country. He was followed by Mathias Bak, who presented the global progress of MACN with key statistics and achievements.
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Senior industry figures presented papers on integrity in the sector. Speakers included Tafsir, Additional Commissioner of Customs; Jalal Gazi, Principal Officer of the Mercantile Marine Office; Capt Sufian from Bangladesh Shipping Corporation; Capt Asif, Pilot and Assistant Harbour Master at Chattogram Port Authority; and Tanjil Ahmed Ruhullah, President of YoungShip Bangladesh, Board Director of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association (BSAA), and Managing Director of Interport Group.
In his presentation, titled "From Facilitation Payments to Fair Trade: The Role of Ship Agents," Tanjil Ahmed Ruhullah addressed the long-standing challenge of the arbitrary "NOC charge" demanded by some charterers or declaring agents, often without legal justification under the Customs Act or port regulations.
Following ongoing discussions, BSAA, under Chairman Syed Mohammad Arif, issued a circular on 15 October last year defining transparent procedures for issuing NOCs between Owner Agents and Declaring Agents. The circular mandates prompt issuance of NOCs upon submission of proper documentation, empowers Owner Protecting Agents to perform shipowners' appointed services, and ensures coordination between Declaring Agents without undue delay or unauthorized charges.
A joint committee has also been formed to monitor NOC procedures and prevent misuse, marking a major step toward fairness, efficiency, and integrity at Chattogram Port.
"Every time a ship agent says 'no' to a facilitation payment, we strengthen not only our ports but also our nation's image in global trade," Tanjil said.
The campaign launch and subsequent policy actions reflect Bangladesh's readiness to lead by example in the maritime world, moving collectively from facilitation payments to fair trade.
