National Action Plan to boost shipping sector competitiveness: Sakhawat
He noted that international cooperation and sharing of best practices are crucial for reaching this goal
Shipping, Labour and Employment Adviser Brig Gen (Retd) M Sakhawat Hussain today (23 April) said a strategic National Action Plan (NAP) will help enhance the competitiveness of the shipping industry and significantly contribute to the nation's economic growth.
He made the remarks during a day-long workshop titled "Development of Bangladesh's National Action Plan for Reduction of GHG from Shipping".
Ministry of Shipping with technical support from International Maritime Organization (IMO) under its Green Voyage-2050 Programme organised the event at the capital's CIRDAP auditorium here, said a press release.
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The adviser emphasised the importance of decarbonising Bangladesh's ports and shipping sector to address climate change. He highlighted the need to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, modernize port facilities, and promote construction of environment friendly vessels.
He expressed gratitude to the IMO for its support in developing the NAP as part of the Green Voyage 2050 initiative. He added the primary objective of this plan is to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from the maritime sector by 2050.
Sakhawat also underlined the necessity of adopting energy-efficient technologies, fostering eco-friendly shipbuilding, developing skilled human resources, and investing in research for sustainable shipping sector.
He noted that international cooperation and sharing of best practices are crucial for reaching this goal.
Senior Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping, Mohammed Yousuf, reiterated the ministry's commitment to creating a national strategy to cut greenhouse gas emissions, stressing the importance of collaboration among public and private stakeholders.
The workshop featured two sessions led by Project Manager of IMO Green Voyage 2050 Program Astrid Dispart and project official Subhaskar Sitsabeshan.
With Commodore Mohammad Maksud Alam, director general of the Department of Shipping in the chair, representatives from different ministries, port authorities, shipping companies, energy sector stakeholders, and maritime academic institutions took part.
