Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has emphasized that the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) must be maintained as a strong and profitable state-owned entity.

The Chief Adviser made these remarks on Wednesday (January 14) during a ceremony at the State Guest House Jamuna.

He received a check for 203.47 crore BDT, representing the repayment of loans taken for a six-ship procurement project and the government's share of dividends for the 2024–25 fiscal year.

The check was handed over by Shipping Adviser M. Sakhawat Hossain and BSC Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek.

Sustaining Growth and Expansion

Professor Yunus praised the corporation's recent financial performance, stating that the current momentum must continue.

He advised that future strategic planning should focus on using internal revenue to further strengthen the organization and expand its fleet.

Key highlights from his address included:

• Job Creation: Expanding the fleet will boost morale among sailors and create new employment opportunities.
• Maritime Education: He stressed the importance of providing competitive remuneration to instructors at Marine Academies to ensure the production of world-class seafarers.

Financial Performance and Loan Repayment

The Managing Director of BSC, Commodore Mahmudul Malek, provided details regarding the "Six New Ships Procurement" project.

The project was funded via a 1.2 billion Yuan (approx. 1,457.68 crore BDT) loan agreement signed between Bangladesh and China (Exim Bank) in 2016.

Under a Subsidiary Loan Agreement (SLA), BSC is scheduled to repay a total of 2,425.02 crore BDT over 13 years.

A previous check for 475.25 crore BDT, covering interest during the grace period, was submitted to the Chief Adviser on November 26.

Fleet Success and Future Outlook

The addition of six commercial vessels in 2018–19 marked a turning point for BSC after a 27-year hiatus.

Five of these vessels—MV Banglar Joyjatra, MV Banglar Arjan, MV Banglar Agrajatra, MV Banglar Agrodoot, and MV Banglar Agrogoti—are currently operating on international routes.

Recent Achievements

• Record Profit: In its 54-year history, BSC recorded its highest profit of 306.56 crore BDT in the last fiscal year, from a total revenue of nearly 800 crore BDT.
• New Acquisitions: Following the Chief Adviser's directives, BSC has already added one bulk carrier, Banglar Pragati, in October 2025. A second vessel, Banglar Nabajatra, is scheduled for delivery on January 30, 2026.
• Ongoing Projects: The corporation is in the process of acquiring two oil tankers and an Ultramax bulk carrier, with plans to procure four more large vessels from China under a G-to-G (Government-to-Government) arrangement.