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Department of Shipping

department · verified (verified 2026-05-17)

Profile

Head
Commodore Md. Shafiul Bari (ND), ndc, psc, BN
Role
Director General
Annual budget
—
Staff
—
Established
1976
Legal basis
Bangladesh Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1983 (Ordinance No. XXVI of 1983); Bangladesh Merchant Shipping Act 2020 (which replaced and modernised the 1983 Ordinance, incorporating SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, MLC 2006, and ISM Code obligations); Bangladesh Flag Vessels (Protection) Act 2019; Bangladesh Merchant Shipping (Registration) Regulations 2020; Bangladesh Merchant Shipping Officers and Ratings Training, Certification, Recruitment, Work Hours and Watchkeeping Regulations (STCW-implementing). DOS itself formed by merger of the Directorate of Shipping and the Controller of Shipping in 1976.

DOS is executing two parallel digitisation reforms in the 90-day window: (1) mandatory digital vessel design examination, announced at Maritime Safety Week on 10 May 2026, replacing the longstanding manual process; (2) digital registration for all inland vessels, directed by the State Minister in March 2026 and formalised at DG-chaired meetings in April. On IMO compliance, the department absorbed the January 2026 STCW amendments (anti-harassment training mandate) and is overseeing training provider updates. Bangladesh lost its IMO Council Category C seat at the 34th IMO Assembly (November 28, 2025) -- a setback DOS must navigate without a formal council seat in 2026-27. The JMRCC inaugurated at DOS headquarters in December 2025 (Korean Economic Development Fund-financed EGIMNS project) is now operational, strengthening search-and-rescue and GMDSS compliance capacity.

Recent activity

Provenance & notes

DOS was formed in 1976 by merging the Directorate of Shipping and the Controller of Shipping; the principal legislation at formation was the Bangladesh Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1983 (enacted after DOS existed, consolidating maritime administration), now replaced by the Bangladesh Merchant Shipping Act 2020. The Director General is customarily a serving Commodore of the Bangladesh Navy on deputation; Commodore Md. Shafiul Bari (ND), ndc, psc, BN is the current DG, confirmed in post from at least August 7, 2025 (BMTI visit) through May 10, 2026 (Maritime Safety Week); exact appointment date not publicly available from sources consulted. A previous DG, Commodore Mohammad Maksud Alam, is referenced in 2024 sources. Bangladesh STCW certification is on the IMO White List and recognised by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), meaning foreign flag states may endorse Bangladesh Certificates of Competency; over 21,000 Bangladeshi seafarers serve in the global merchant fleet (cited by Shipping Adviser at IMO General Assembly, 24 November 2025). Bangladesh's national flag fleet stood at approximately 95-97 oceangoing vessels as of mid-2023, with the Registrar of Bangladesh Ships at Chittagong being the principal registration officer under the Director General. Bangladesh lost its IMO Council Category C seat at the 34th IMO Assembly election on 28 November 2025, replaced by Belgium, Nigeria, and South Africa; DOS and MoS had campaigned for re-election, with DG Shafiul Bari making presentations at diplomatic receptions including in London. annual_budget_bdt and staff_count are null: DOS departmental budget is not separately published in MoF's publicly accessible budget portal documents reviewed; it falls within the Ministry of Shipping aggregate. head_since is given as 2025-08-07, the earliest confirmed date of DG Shafiul Bari in post (BMTI visit article); the actual appointment notification date is not available from public sources.

Sources