Mariners' rally in Chattogram marks World Maritime Day
A colourful rally was brought out in Chattogram on Thursday to celebrate World Maritime Day 2025, highlighting the contribution of mariners to the national economy and the country's growing blue economy.
The rally organised by the Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers' Association (BMMOA), began at 9am from the Barik Building intersection and concluded at the same spot at 10:15am after parading through the city's main roads.
Mariners from different parts of the country, senior officials, shipping company representatives, and other stakeholders in the maritime industry joined the programme. Participants carried banners and festoons showcasing various aspects of the sector.
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Speaking at the event, BMMOA General Secretary Marine Engineer Md Sakhawat Hossain said Bangladesh currently earns around $1.75 billion annually from shipping, shipbuilding, ship recycling, and the employment of seafarers on international vessels.
'With proper policy support, this income can be increased to $7 billion a year,' he said.
He added that mariners work tirelessly to keep the wheels of the economy moving. 'The maritime sector is the backbone of international trade, transporting more than 80% of the world's goods, and our mariners are one of the key drivers of that trade,' he said.
World Maritime Day, first observed in 1978, is celebrated on the last Thursday of September each year to raise awareness on shipping safety, maritime security, and the marine environment.
