London: Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Dr. M Sakhawat Hussain has officially announced Bangladesh’s candidature for Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for the 2026-2027 term.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the adviser formally announced the candidature at a reception at the IMO Delegates Lounge yesterday in London. As a symbolic gesture, the shipping adviser also presented a model Bangladeshi ship replica to the IMO Secretariat. This marks the first time a Bangladeshi replica ship has been established at the IMO Secretariat since Bangladesh’s membership in 1976. The model ship replica was crafted by Khulna Shipyard Ltd, Bangladesh.
The shipping adviser highlighted Bangladesh’s maritime heritage, strategic location in the Indo-Pacific, and its growing role in global trade, with over 5,000 ships calling at its ports annually and a fleet of 95 ocean-going and more than 20,000 coastal vessels. He reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to sustainable maritime development, expressing strong support for the IMO’s decarbonisation goals. He noted the country’s leadership in ship recycling, underscored by its ratification of the Hong Kong Convention, which contributed to its entry into force.
With over 21,000 trained seafarers, including more than 120 women, Bangladesh is a proponent of maritime safety, seafarer welfare, and gender inclusion. The shipping adviser also met with the IMO Secretary-General to discuss enhanced cooperation in green shipping, alternative fuels, and technology transfer.
Currently serving on the IMO Council for 2023-2025, Bangladesh seeks re-election and the continued support of member states to advance a safer, greener, and more inclusive maritime future. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, ambassadors, permanent representatives, and delegates from various member states and international organizations attended the event. From Bangladesh, High Commissioner and Permanent Representative to the IMO Abida Islam, Deputy High Commissioner Hazrat Ali Khan, DG Shipping Commodore Mohammad Maksud Alam, Counsellor (Maritime Affairs) and Alternate Permanent Representative Captain Kazi A B M Shameem, and Counsellor (Political) Moumita Zeenat were present.