The Bangladesh Maritime Law Society (BMLS), a member of the Comité Maritime International (CMI), organised the BMLS Maritime Colloquium 2026 and Maritime Excellence Awards 2026 at The Westin Dhaka on 8 October. The event was held under the theme “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence”.
The event brought together lawyers, maritime professionals, industry leaders, academics and law students from 25 universities.
The special guests were Supreme Court of Bangladesh judges Justice Md Zafar Ahmed and Justice Khizir Ahmed, East Coast Group Founder and Chairman Azam J Chowdhury, and Green Delta Insurance PLC Managing Director and CEO Farzanah Chowdhury.
The four maritime dialogues focused on smart ports and sustainable shipping; strategic investment, maritime labour and infrastructure; regulatory gaps in shipping; and green shipping, shipbuilding and responsible recycling. Discussions also covered maritime law, marine insurance and reinsurance, compliance, enforcement and dispute resolution.
In his welcome address, BMLS President Advocate Mohiuddin Abdul Kadir (Capt MAK) stressed the importance of translating maritime policy into practical action and connecting legal knowledge with operational experience.
CMI President Ann Fenech opened the awards ceremony with a video address. Speakers highlighted investment, sustainability, practical legal frameworks and cooperation across Bangladesh’s maritime sector.
The BMLS Maritime Excellence Awards 2026 recognised individuals and organisations for their leadership, professional excellence and contributions to the sector. Recipients included Azam J Chowdhury, Farzanah Chowdhury, Tanjima Mostafa, Tyser Group, represented by S M Moinul Islam, Sajid Hussain, Mohd Mehrul Karim, Tanjil Ahmed Ruhullah, Haque & Sons Limited, Karnafuly Ship Builders Limited, PHP Ship Breaking & Recycling Industries Ltd and MC Law Services Ltd.
The Lifetime Achievement Awards honoured Captain M Zakaria, Captain M A Jalil, Ghulam M Suhrawardi and Captain Zillur Rahman Bhuiyan for their longstanding contributions to the maritime community.
Advocate Shweata Mishra, head of Chambers at MC Law Services Ltd and General Coordinator of BMLS, delivered the closing remarks and vote of thanks.
The event was supported by the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN), with MC Law Services Ltd as the technical partner.
BMLS promotes research, legal education and professional development in shipping, admiralty, marine insurance and maritime trade law. It also promotes cooperation across the maritime community and serves as CMI’s official representative in Bangladesh.
