Bangladesh has joined international maritime liability conventions to help protect the marine environment, safeguard coastal communities, and ensure sustainable maritime trade.
The Ministry of Shipping has taken a significant step by acceding to three key international maritime liability conventions in London.
Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam formally handed over the instruments of accession to International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez at IMO headquarters in London today, according to a press release received here.
The move will further align Bangladesh's maritime legal and institutional framework with internationally recognized standards and best practices.
Bangladesh's Acting High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Dr M Nazrul Islam and Department of Shipping Director General Commodore Shafiul Bari were present.
A press release of the Shipping Ministry said the accession to these conventions reflects the government's commitment to ensuring safe shipping, protecting the marine environment, and establishing a responsible maritime governance system.
The three conventions ratified by Bangladesh are- The 1992 Protocol to the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, The International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001, and The Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, 2007.
Hundreds of ships pass through Bangladesh's territorial waters or call at its ports every day. Such maritime traffic carries risks including oil spills, bunker fuel pollution, and shipwrecks, all of which can threaten navigation and marine biodiversity.
These conventions establish liability for such incidents and require compulsory insurance coverage. As a result, compensation for damages can be secured through a guaranteed financial mechanism rather than relying on lengthy legal proceedings.
The ratification is also expected to bring economic benefits to the country. Bangladeshi-flagged vessels will no longer need to obtain convention certificates from foreign maritime administrations, saving both time and foreign exchange.
In addition, compliance with these conventions will enhance the credibility of Bangladeshi-flagged ships among international charterers, insurers, and port authorities, reducing commercial delays and minimizing additional inspections by authorities at foreign ports.
More than 100 countries have already become parties to these conventions. With this ratification, Bangladesh has brought its maritime framework into line with internationally recognized standards.
Against the backdrop of growing maritime traffic, expanding port operations, and ongoing coastal development, the decision is expected to strengthen Bangladesh's role as a responsible maritime nation while contributing significantly to the fulfillment of international obligations and the protection of national interests.
