Tanjil Ahmed Ruhullah, Managing Director and Head of Claims at Interport Group, received the BMLS Maritime Emerging Leader Award 2026 in recognition of his leadership, professional excellence and contribution to Bangladesh’s maritime and shipping sector.
The Bangladesh Maritime Law Society (BMLS) presented the award during its Maritime Excellence Awards ceremony at The Westin Dhaka on Thursday (8 October). Justice Khizir Ahmed Chowdhury, Judge of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, attended the programme as the chief guest.
The ceremony formed part of the BMLS World Maritime Day celebration and Maritime Colloquium 2026, held under the theme “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence”. Organised with support from the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN), with MCLaw Services Ltd as technical partner, the programme addressed smart ports, sustainable shipping, maritime investment and employment, responsible ship recycling, and the implementation of shipping regulations.
In its award notification, BMLS highlighted Tanjil’s professional engagement in shipping, marine claims and maritime services, alongside his initiatives to develop and connect the next generation of maritime professionals.
Since joining Interport in 2010, Tanjil has built extensive experience in handling marine claims involving cargo, collisions, groundings, damage to port infrastructure and crew-related matters. His work combines claims management, coordination and practical support for shipowners and marine insurers operating in Bangladesh. He holds an engineering degree from BRAC University and a law degree from the University of London, bringing both technical and legal knowledge to his professional responsibilities. He is also currently pursuing Executive MBA in Shipping & Logistics (Blue MBA), Copenhagen Business School.
As founding chairman of YoungShip Bangladesh, he has worked to expand opportunities for young maritime professionals through professional development, industry collaboration and networking. In June 2026, he became the first Bangladeshi elected to the YoungShip International Board as Regional Representative for Asia and the Middle East. His responsibilities include strengthening cooperation among regional chapters and supporting leadership development within the maritime industry.
His wider contributions include serving as the youngest elected board director of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association for the 2021–2023 and 2023–2025 terms, and participating in chamber committees concerned with the blue economy and industry–academia collaboration. He was also appointed to MACN’s Bangladesh working group in 2024 in recognition of his efforts to promote awareness and integrity among maritime stakeholders.
Most recently, Tanjil spoke at the seventh International Group of P&I Clubs Conference for P&I Correspondents, held at the International Maritime Organization headquarters in London. During the “Operational Challenges” session, he presented “Contingency Planning From a P&I Correspondent’s Perspective”, sharing practical insights into preparedness and continuity of service during disruptions.
The BMLS award recognises his contribution across professional practice, youth development and international engagement, as well as his role in strengthening Bangladesh’s representation in the global maritime community.
