Shipping corp to expand its fleet with 6 new container ships | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Saturday
June 21, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 2025
Shipping corp to expand its fleet with 6 new container ships

Bangladesh

Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury
18 February, 2025, 10:55 pm
Last modified: 18 February, 2025, 11:02 pm

Related News

  • Mango business vibrates local economy in Rajshahi region post-Eid
  • Bangladesh calls for separate South Asia-China platform to tackle climate risks
  • DSE serves query to Lovello over unusual share price hike
  • Study finds alarming mercury levels in popular skin creams sold in Bangladesh
  • ICAB says only its members have legal statutory audit rights

Shipping corp to expand its fleet with 6 new container ships

16 more ships to join by 2030 

Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury
18 February, 2025, 10:55 pm
Last modified: 18 February, 2025, 11:02 pm
Photo: Collected
Photo: Collected
  • Total cost of the project Tk3,836.83cr 
  • 92% cost will be financed through external debt
  • The 6 new ships to transport 6 lakh TEUs annually

As part of expanding its container ship fleet, Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) has initiated the process of purchasing six modern container ships from South Korea in the next two to three years. 

With these six container ships, BSC plans to add 16 additional ships to its fleet by 2030, a move expected to bring a revolutionary change to the country's maritime trade sector, according to shipping experts.

According to the corporation, while BSC has operated oil and bulk cargo vessels, it currently has no container ships in its fleet. The addition of six new container vessels will mark a significant development for the state-run institution in maritime cargo transport.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Commodore Mahmudul Malek, managing director of BSC, told The Business Standard, "Six container ships are being procured at a cost of Tk3,800 crore from two shipyards in Korea. South Korea's EXIM Bank will provide a Tk3,500 crore loan for the project, while the remaining Tk300 crore will be funded by the Bangladesh government." 

He added, "If everything goes as planned, these vessels are expected to join BSC's fleet by 2027 or 2028. The new ships will have a capacity of 2,500 to 2,800 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) with a draft of approximately 9.8 meters.

"If everything goes as planned, these vessels are expected to join BSC's fleet by 2027 or 2028. The new ships will have a capacity of 2,500 to 2,800 TEUs with a draft of approximately 9.8 metres"

Commodore Mahmudul Malek, managing director of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation

"These six new container ships will operate between Chattogram Port and transshipment ports. According to the plan, the ships will run on routes to Singapore, Malaysia's Port Klang, and Tanjung Pelepas. Also, they may also be used for chartering on international routes."

The shipping corporation expects these vessels to transport around 6 lakh TEUs of containerised cargo annually, saving significant foreign currency. 

Revenue and operating costs

According to the project proposal, the estimated annual income from these six vessels is Tk2,261.15 crore, while the annual operating cost will be Tk1,215.11 crore.

The total cost of the project, including bank charges, vessel registration, buyer's surveyor's fees, tax, VAT, and logistics, is estimated at Tk3,836.83 crore ($358.58 million), with about 92% of the cost being financed through external debt.

The BSC managing director also said, "In addition to the six container ships, BSC plans to acquire 16 more vessels by 2030, including bulk carriers and other types of ships. Discussions are ongoing with China and Korea regarding the procurement of these vessels."

For the fiscal year 2023-24, the corporation reported a record profit of Tk250 crore, its highest in 53 years. 

Industry insiders say BSC's efforts will expand the scope of the country's maritime trade and strengthen Bangladesh's position in the global shipping market.

Speaking to The Business Standard, Syed Mohammad Arif, chairman of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association, said, "The plan to add new ships to BSC's fleet is promising. However, it is crucial to ensure that the plan is implemented quickly and effectively. The addition of new vessels will help earn foreign currency for Bangladesh, which will benefit the country's economy."

Fleet history and current situation

"Before 2018, BSC's fleet only included two lighter ships used for transporting oil from Chattogram Port's outer anchorage to Eastern Refinery's jetty. However, after the addition of six new oil tankers and bulk carriers in 2018 and 2019, the fleet grew to eight ships," Syed Mohammad Arif added.

When the Russia-Ukraine war began, BSC's vessel "Banglar Samriddhi" was destroyed in a missile attack at the Ukrainian Port of Olvia, resulting in the death of a crew member. 

Recently, two older lighter ships in BSC's fleet were damaged by a fire and sold for scrap. As of now, BSC's fleet consists of just five ships, increasing the need for new acquisitions.

BSC introduced container feeder services on the Chattogram-Singapore route in 1993 with three ships named Banglar Rabi, Banglar Moni, and Banglar Shikha. Now, Bangladesh has 103 ocean-going vessels in operation, both government and private.

Top News

Shipping Corporation / Bangladesh / Container

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • A missile launched from Iran is intercepted as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, June 21, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Amir Cohen
    Iran, Israel launch new attacks after Tehran rules out nuclear talks
  • Illustration: TBS
    Recapitalisation vs inflation: Twin dilemmas of our banking crisis
  • Cut likely in airlines' hangar fees, airport surcharges
    Cut likely in airlines' hangar fees, airport surcharges

MOST VIEWED

  • Collage of the two Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) students held over raping classmate after rendering her unconscious and filming videos. Photos: Collected
    2 SUST students held for allegedly rendering female classmate unconscious, raping her, filming nude videos
  • BUET Professor Md Ehsan stands beside his newly designed autorickshaw—just 3.2 metres long and 1.5 metres wide—built for two passengers to ensure greater stability and prevent tipping. With a safety-focused top speed of 30 km/h, the vehicle can be produced at an estimated cost of Tk1.5 lakh. Photo: Junayet Rashel
    Buet’s smart fix for Dhaka's autorickshaws
  • File photo of containers at Chattogram port/TBS
    3-month interim extension sought for Saif Powertec to operate Ctg port terminal
  • Photo: Collected
    All BTS members officially complete military service as Suga gets discharged
  • 6 govt officials, including 5 secretaries, sent on forced retirement
    6 govt officials, including 5 secretaries, sent on forced retirement
  • Study finds alarming mercury levels in popular skin creams sold in Bangladesh
    Study finds alarming mercury levels in popular skin creams sold in Bangladesh

Related News

  • Mango business vibrates local economy in Rajshahi region post-Eid
  • Bangladesh calls for separate South Asia-China platform to tackle climate risks
  • DSE serves query to Lovello over unusual share price hike
  • Study finds alarming mercury levels in popular skin creams sold in Bangladesh
  • ICAB says only its members have legal statutory audit rights

Features

Monsoon in Bandarban’s hilly hiking trails means endless adventure — something hundreds of Bangladeshi hikers eagerly await each year. But the risks are sometimes not worth the reward. Photo: Collected

Tragedy on the trail: The deadly cost of unregulated adventure tourism in Bangladesh’s hills

14h | Panorama
BUET Professor Md Ehsan stands beside his newly designed autorickshaw—just 3.2 metres long and 1.5 metres wide—built for two passengers to ensure greater stability and prevent tipping. With a safety-focused top speed of 30 km/h, the vehicle can be produced at an estimated cost of Tk1.5 lakh. Photo: Junayet Rashel

Buet’s smart fix for Dhaka's autorickshaws

1d | Features
Evacuation of Bangladeshis: Where do they go next from conflict-ridden Iran?

Evacuation of Bangladeshis: Where do they go next from conflict-ridden Iran?

2d | Panorama
The Kallyanpur Canal is burdened with more than 600,000 kilograms of waste every month. Photo: Courtesy

Kallyanpur canal project shows how to combat plastic pollution in Dhaka

3d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

News of The Day, 20 JUNE 2025

News of The Day, 20 JUNE 2025

14h | TBS News of the day
Israel strikes Iranian missile launch site

Israel strikes Iranian missile launch site

15h | TBS World
Tarique Rahman's Potential Homecoming: Preparations Underway?

Tarique Rahman's Potential Homecoming: Preparations Underway?

13h | TBS Stories
China rolls out eye-catching strategy for foreign markets

China rolls out eye-catching strategy for foreign markets

1h | TBS Stories
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net