State-owned Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) is set to formally induct a new bulk carrier, MB Banglar Pragati, into its fleet on Thursday, boosting its sea transport capacity and revenue potential.
The 65,000-tonne vessel, purchased with BSC’s own funds, will be officially handed over by China’s Xingjiang Nanyang Shipbuilding Company Limited. A second bulk carrier, MB Banglar Navjatra, is scheduled to join in December.
The ocean-going Banglar Pragati measures 199 metres in length, 33 metres in width, and 18 metres in depth. It is equipped with a MAN-B&W main engine built under a German licence and assembled in China, while its pump and compressor are sourced from Spain and Norway respectively.
BSC acquired the ship from Hellenic Dry Bulk Ventures LLC of London under a supply agreement signed on September 21, following approval from the Chief Adviser and the Advisory Council Committee on Government Procurement. The Ministry of Shipping earlier approved a Direct Purchase Procurement process to buy two ready-made bulk carriers.
Each ship costs $38.349 million, bringing the total purchase value to $76.698 million — 4.6 percent below the estimated price. Both vessels, formerly named XCL Gemini and XCL Lion, were renamed Banglar Pragati and
Banglar Navjatra and built under the Green Ship concept to ensure compliance with International Maritime Organization standards.
The ships feature energy-efficient designs that reduce nitrogen oxide emissions, improve fuel efficiency, and minimise environmental impact.
BSC previously expanded its fleet with six ships in 2018 and 2019, three of which were financed by China at a cost of Tk 1,843 crore. The two new carriers, costing Tk 935 crore, are financed entirely from BSC’s own resources.
The corporation expects to earn about Tk 200 crore annually from the new additions, further strengthening Bangladesh’s maritime transport capacity.
