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Published : 14 Jan 2026, 03:46 PM
Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has called on the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) to maintain its profit momentum after the state-owned company earned nearly Tk 8 billion in the 2024–25 fiscal year.
He said this on Wednesday during a ceremony where a cheque worth Tk 2.03 billion was handed over to the interim government for repayment of loans and declared dividends
The amount covers loan repayments for ship acquisition projects and dividends payable to the state for FY25, according to a statement from the Chief Advisor’s Office.
Yunus said the corporation must preserve its recent performance as a profitable entity.
“We must plan in a way that the corporation’s own income strengthens the institution further and allows the fleet to expand with new vessels,” he said.
He added that adding ships to the BSC fleet would boost morale among seafarers and create employment.
“If more ships join the BSC fleet, motivation among seafarers will rise and new jobs will be created,” the statement quotes.
Highlighting the importance of training, Yunus said instructors at marine academies must be retained with proper remuneration to ensure the production of world-class seafarers.
At the event, BSC Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek said six new vessels had been procured under a government-to-government project, including three product oil tankers and three bulk carriers. Each vessel has a capacity of around 39,000 deadweight tonnes.
He said a loan agreement for the project was signed on Oct 14, 2016 between the then government, represented by the Economic Relations Division, and the Chinese government through China Exim Bank.
The principal loan amount was 1.19 billion yuan, equivalent to around Tk 14.57 billion.
To facilitate repayment, a subsidiary loan agreement was signed on Oct 27, 2024 between the Finance Division and the BSC.
Under the agreement, the BSC will repay Tk 24.25 billion to the government over a 13-year period.
A cheque worth Tk 4.75 billion covering interest during the grace period was formally handed over to the chief advisor on Nov 26, 2024.
The project brought six commercial vessels into the BSC fleet in FY19, the first such addition in 27 years.
Five of the vessels -- MV Banglar Joyjatra, MV Banglar Arjon, MT Banglar Agrajatra, MT Banglar Agradoot and MT Banglar Agragoti -- are currently operating on international routes, transporting cargo while flying the Bangladeshi flag.
According to the statement, the BSC recorded revenue of nearly Tk 8 billion, achieving its highest-ever profits of Tk 3.06 billion in its 54-year history.
The contributions of the five newly added vessels were described as “significant”.
Following the chief advisor’s directive, the BSC has moved to procure additional ships. Under a fully self-financed plan, the first bulk carrier, Banglar Progoti, was delivered and deployed commercially on Oct 28 last year.
The second vessel, Banglar Nobojatra, is scheduled for delivery on Jan 30, 2026.
Plans are also under way to acquire two MR product oil tankers through government financing, one Ultramax bulk carrier with the BSC’s own funds, and four larger vessels from China under a government-to-government arrangement.
