Arafat kader,  ctg

Highlights Mariners’ Contribution to the National Economy.

To celebrate the UN-recognised ‘World Maritime Day 2025’, a colourful rally organised by the Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers’ Association (BMMOA) was successfully held this morning in Chattogram.

The rally began today, Thursday, September 25th, at 9:00 AM from the Barik Building intersection in Chattogram. It paraded through the city’s main roads and concluded at the same location at 10:15 AM.

The association’s General Secretary, Marine Engineer Md. Sakhawat Hossain, Senior Mariner Captain Md. Habibur Rahman, along with mariners from various levels across the country, representatives of shipping companies, and other individuals involved in the maritime industry, were present at the rally.

Participants held banners and festoons, highlighting various aspects of the maritime industry.

The primary objective of this rally was to raise public awareness about the maritime industry’s contribution to the national economy, particularly the vital role played by mariners. It was an effort to pay tribute to the country’s ‘Blue Economy’ and sustainable sea transport system.

At the end of the rally, the General Secretary, Marine Engineer Md. Sakhawat Hossain stated, “Our mariners work tirelessly day and night to keep the wheels of our country’s economy moving. The maritime sector is the backbone of international trade, transporting over 80% of the world’s goods, and our country’s mariners are one of the key drivers of that trade.” He added, “Currently, through shipping, shipbuilding, ship recycling yards, and the employment of our seafarers on international vessels, Bangladesh’s maritime sector earns approximately $1.75 billion in foreign currency annually. We can increase this income to $7 billion per year by solving seafarers’ visa issues, improving financing and tax systems for purchasing ships, and introducing international standard policies for shipbuilding.”

He also said, “Such events not only raise awareness but also strengthen the unity and solidarity within our maritime community. The importance of sea routes is immense for ensuring the country’s future economic growth, and we hope the government will give more importance to the development of this sector.”

The World Maritime Day was first celebrated in 1978 to mark the 20th anniversary of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Convention coming into force. Since then, the day has been celebrated every year on the last Thursday of September. The day highlights the importance of shipping safety, maritime security, and the marine environment.

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