Ananda Shipyard and Slipways Limited, a shipbuilding business based in Bangladesh, is shipping a 5,500 deadweight ton multipurpose cargo ship called “Wes War” to Turkey.
On Sunday, September 7, the ship will be formally turned over to the well-known Turkish business Nopac Shipping and Trading Limited.
The handover ceremony will be attended by Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Ramiz Sen, Advisor to the Ministry of Industries Adilur Rahman Khan, Advisor to the Ministry of Labor Brig. Gen. (Retd) Dr. Sakhawat Hossain, and Advisor to the Ministry of Shipping Brig. Gen. (Retd) Dr. Sakhawat Hossain.
Ananda Shipyard officials announced that the vessel, constructed using internationally recognized design and technology, measures 341 feet in length, 55 feet in width, and 25 feet in depth. The ship, powered by a robust 2,735 horsepower engine, can reach a top speed of 12 knots per hour. It is designed to transport a variety of goods, including steel coils, coal, fertilizers, and food grains.
In 2022, the company successfully exported a ship with a deadweight tonnage of 6,100 to Engian Shipping Company Limited in the UK, which was highlighted as one of the largest ship exports from the country at that time.
Ananda Shipyard’s venture into exporting sea-going vessels began in 2008 with the shipment of a container ship named ‘Stella Maris’ to Denmark. Since then, the company has delivered over 350 ships to both domestic and international clients.
Abdullahel Bari, the chairman of the company, stated that ship exports have been consistently resuming since 2022. The vessel sent to Turkey represents our largest and most technologically advanced ship to date.
He emphasized the necessity for long-term, low-interest financing to advance the shipbuilding industry at the desired rate. To stay competitive in the global market, substantial personal investment alongside bank guarantees is essential, which poses certain challenges.
As per the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, there are currently over 100 shipbuilding firms and more than 120 registered shipyards in the nation, with over 30 being large-scale operations. Bangladesh has gained international acclaim for its construction of medium-sized cargo ships, container vessels, tankers, and dredgers.
The country’s annual ship export capacity stands at approximately 20 vessels per year. The domestic ship market is expanding at an annual growth rate of 10-15%, while exports are increasing at a slower pace of 5-6% annually.
At present, the annual market value of the local shipbuilding sector is around US $1 billion.
Those concerned believe that Bangladesh can become one of the leading ship exporting countries in Asia if it receives appropriate government support and investment.
