Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) has officially taken delivery of its newly acquired vessel MV Banglar Nabojatra, formerly known as XCL Lion, marking another milestone in the national flag carrier’s fleet expansion.
According to BSC officials, the delivery was completed on 27 January following the successful conclusion of the closing formalities in London. With the handover completed, the vessel’s master formally assumed command, confirming the transfer of operational control to BSC.
The closing programme for the acquisition began earlier in the day at 6:30GMT at the office of the seller’s legal counsel, Stevenson Harwood, where all contractual and legal procedures were finalised.
While ownership has already been transferred, physical delivery of the vessel is scheduled to take place on 29 January 2026, at Nanyang Shipyard in Jingjiang, China. The vessel is scheduled to commence its commercial operations on 31 January.
With the completion of the documentation and delivery process, MV Banglar Nabojatra is now fully under the ownership of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation, said Commodore Mahmudul Malek, managing director of BSC.
BSC authorities expressed satisfaction over the successful acquisition, noting that the addition of the vessel will further strengthen the corporation’s capacity in maritime trade and shipping operations under the national flag.
According to BSC, under its self-financed ship procurement programme, it has now taken delivery of two bulk carrier vessels. The first ship, Banglar Pragati, was delivered and commissioned on 28 October 2025.
Meanwhile, the process is underway to acquire two MR product oil tankers with government financing, along with one Ultramax-size bulk carrier under BSC’s own financing.
In addition, plans have been finalised to expand the fleet further through the procurement of four more large mother vessels from China under a government-to-government (G2G) arrangement.
