B Mirror Report : Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) has transferred Tk 2.03 billion to the government as payment against loan installments and dividend obligations linked to six vessel acquisition projects carried out under the Ministry of Shipping.

According to a press release issued by BSC on Tuesday, the cheque was formally handed over to the Chief Adviser of the interim government.

The payment comprises installments under a Subsidiary Loan Agreement (SLA) for loans taken to purchase six ships, along with the government’s share of dividends declared by BSC for the 2024–25 fiscal year.

The six-ship procurement initiative was executed on a government-to-government (G-to-G) basis and involved the acquisition of three product oil tankers and three bulk carriers, each with an approximate capacity of 39,000 deadweight tonnes. The original loan agreement was signed on 14 October 2016 between the Government of Bangladesh represented by the Economic Relations Division and the Chinese government through China Exim Bank.

The total principal loan amount was 1.2 billion Chinese yuan, equivalent to around Tk 14.58 billion. To facilitate repayment, the Finance Division and BSC signed the SLA on 27 October 2024, under which BSC is scheduled to repay a total of Tk 24.25 billion to the government over a 13-year period.

Under the agreement, interest accrued during the grace period amounted to Tk 475.3 million, which was paid earlier through a cheque handed over to the Chief Adviser on 26 November 2024.

After a hiatus of 27 years, the six commercial vessels were added to BSC’s fleet during the 2018–19 period. Of these, five ships are currently operating in international trade, carrying cargo across global routes under the Bangladeshi flag. The vessels include MV Banglar Joyjatra, MV Banglar Arjan, MT Banglar Agrajatra, MT Banglar Agrodut, and MT Banglar Agrogoti.

BSC officials said the addition of these ships has significantly strengthened the corporation’s financial performance. In its 54-year history, BSC achieved its highest-ever earnings in the last fiscal year, generating approximately Tk 8.0 billion in revenue and recording a net profit of Tk 3.06 billion.

Following instructions from the Chief Adviser, BSC has initiated further fleet expansion. Under self-financed arrangements, the corporation has acquired two bulk carriers. The first vessel, Banglar Pragati, entered commercial service on 28 October 2025, while the second, Banglar Nabojatra, is expected to be delivered on 30 January 2026.

Additionally, preparations are underway to procure two MR product oil tankers with government funding and one ultra-max bulk carrier using BSC’s own resources. Plans have also been made to acquire four more large vessels, including mother vessels, from China on a G-to-G basis as part of a long-term strategy to expand the national shipping fleet.