Cover Story
Anchoring Sustainability: Navigating Bangladesh’s Maritime Sector through the Lens of the SDGs
As the crimson sun dips behind container cranes at Chattogram Port, the heartbeat of Bangladesh’s maritime economy pulses with promise—and peril. The country’s coastal waters underpin a thriving blue economy: shipping, fisheries, tourism, shipbuilding—yet stigma shadows these critical assets. From stripped coral reefs to underpaid seafarers, unregulated ship recycling yards to aging ports, Bangladesh’s maritime sector stands at an inflection point. The 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by the UN in 2015, offer a transformative compass. But only with deliberate alignment can Bangladesh steer toward sustainable maritime growth—simultaneously bolstering prosperity, preserving marine ecosystems, and leaving no one behind.
Setting Sail: Bangladesh’s Maritime Profile and Economic Policy Anchor
Bangladesh’s coastline spans over 580 kilometers along the Bay of Bengal, anchoring numerous ports, fisheries, and coastal communities. The blue economy—comprising shipping, fisheries, aquaculture, marine tourism, offshore gas platforms, and emerging renewable energy—is now central to economic policy, spearheaded by the Blue Economy Master Plan.
Sector snapshot:
Strategic corridors under BIMSTEC and Bangladesh’s involvement in China’s maritime Silk Road signal regional integration ambitions. The Bangladeshi private sector is investing in cold storage, LNG bunkering, and digitization—yet much of the sector remains anchored in dated infrastructure and practices.
Mapping the SDGs: Maritime Relevance in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is committed to all 17 Sustainable Development Goals, but several are of particular relevance to maritime sectors:
SDG 14—Life Below Water— resonates deeply, but other SDGs are indispensable for achieving true sustainability across maritime value chains.
Storm Clouds: Facing Sustainability Gaps
a) Environmental Degradation
- Over 60% of fish stocks in Bangladesh are fully exploited or overexploited, according to government surveys.
- Coastal erosion and mangrove dieback threaten the Sundarbans and adjacent fisheries.
- Increasing marine pollution—especially single-use plastics—is threatening marine biodiversity and human health.
b) Climate Vulnerability
Cyclones like Amphan (2020) and Sidr (2007) have disrupted port infrastructure and devastated fisher communities, underscoring the sector’s sensitivity to extreme weather events worsened by climate change.
c) Labor Rights & Safety
Bangladeshi seafarers form the country’s second-largest foreign exchange earner, yet issues of inadequate pay, contract clarity, and limited onboard welfare persist. Meanwhile, women are scarcely represented in maritime professions, from cadets to engineers.
d) Ship Recycling
Bangladesh ranks among the world’s top three ship recycling nations. However:
∎ Hazardous materials (asbestos, heavy metals) are dismantled in low-safety zones.
∎ In 2024, ship-breaking accidents caused an estimated 12 fatalities.
∎ Toxic sludge is discharged directly into marine and coastal systems, raising local and global concerns.
e) Infrastructure Constraints
Chattogram Port handles over 90% of cargo traffic, but suffers from congestion, aged berths, and archaic cargo handling. Sustainable options such as cold chain capacity and LNG bunkering remain underdeveloped.
Uncharted Opportunities: Toward a Sustainable Blue Horizon
Blue Economic Growth
Harnessing sustainable aquaculture, sustainable tourism, responsible seabed exploration, and ocean energy (wind, tidal, solar) can diversify growth. Pilot offshore wind feasibility studies are under consideration for Bay of Bengal waters.
Coastal Management & Marine Spatial Planning
Integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) frameworks are gaining traction to reconcile fishery zones, protected areas, shipping lanes, and industrial hubs—helping minimize land-use conflicts and ecological damage.
Greener Ports & Ships
● Chattogram’s pilot LNG bunkering facility is poised to reduce shipping’s carbon intensity.
● Hypothetical smart port digitalization projects aim to reduce truck wait times by 30%.
● Electrification or hybrid cargo-handling equipment can cut port-based emissions by ~40%.
Technology Integration
Remote sensing, AIS tracking, and virtual reality training for pilots and terminal operators are being tested. Improved maritime surveillance can mitigate illegal fishing and smuggling.
International Cooperation
Bangladesh actively supports IMO conventions—Hong Kong on ship recycling (2009), MARPOL for pollution control, and is aligning with the Paris Agreement. Technical partnerships are underway with Japan, South Korea, and regional organizations like SAARC/IORA.
Global Case Studies: Learning from International Best Practices
Case Study 1: Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands – Green Hydrogen Hub
The world’s largest seaport outside Asia, Rotterdam is spearheading Europe’s transition to green shipping. It’s building a green hydrogen plant and refueling stations to reduce vessel emissions and power shore-side operations. Through public-private partnerships, the port integrates SDGs 7, 9, and 13 into its operations—offering a replicable model for Chattogram and Mongla.
Case Study 2: Mauritius – Marine Spatial Planning for Sustainable Fisheries
Faced with declining fish stocks, Mauritius implemented a marine spatial planning strategy that designates fishing zones, coral restoration areas, and no-go industrial zones. The result? A 35% increase in fish populations over five years and enhanced eco-tourism potential. Bangladesh could adopt a similar approach along its overfished coastlines.
Case Study 3: Japan – Eco-Ports Certification Program
Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport developed an Eco-Port certification system that rewards environmental performance in energy efficiency, biodiversity protection, and waste management. Over 20 ports are now certified. Such an incentive system could benefit Payra Port and future Bangladeshi deep-sea facilities.
Case Study 4: Ghana – Women in Maritime Initiative
The Women in Maritime – West and Central Africa (WIM-WCA) program in Ghana empowers women through leadership training, scholarships, and industry placement. Over 1,000 women have entered previously male-dominated sectors such as marine engineering and logistics. Bangladesh could model a similar initiative under SDG 5.
Case Study 5: Norway – Digital Twin Port Technology
The Port of Oslo has developed a “digital twin” platform using AI and big data to simulate port operations in realtime. This reduces idle time, optimizes logistics, and monitors environmental impact continuously. As Chattogram modernizes, these technologies could be phased in to meet SDG 9 targets.
Roadmap to 2030: KPIs and Strategic Milestones
To ensure alignment with the SDGs, Bangladesh’s maritime sector must pursue measurable milestones:
Maritime Sustainability: Global Perspective and Policy Alignment
The world’s oceans are at a breaking point. According to the UN Secretary-General’s 2024 Ocean Report, over 30% of the world’s fish stocks are overexploited, marine pollution has increased tenfold since 1980, and 80% of the ocean is still unmapped and unprotected. In response, nations are converging around multilateral frameworks, policies, and coalitions to secure maritime sustainability as a cornerstone of planetary health and economic resilience.
Key Global Frameworks Driving Maritime Sustainability:
Global Policy Trends to Watch:
- Carbon Pricing in Shipping: The IMO adopted a greenhouse gas levy framework in 2023 that could impose a fee on every ton of CO₂ emitted by ocean-going vessels. This could reshape freight pricing and incentivize low-emission fleets globally.
- Zero-Emission Shipping Corridors: Countries including Norway, Singapore, and the UK are testing clean energy trade routes with electric or hydrogen- fueled ships. South Asian shipping lanes could one day be part of this network.
- Blue Finance & Ocean Bonds: Multilateral lenders and climate funds are issuing “blue bonds” to support marine conservation, sustainable aquaculture, and port modernization. Bangladesh could access these through regional consortia like IORA or BIMSTEC.
- Digital Ocean Governance: Nations are adopting marine data ecosystems to guide zoning, pollution response, and vessel traffic. The EU’s Copernicus Marine Service and NOAA’s Integrated Ocean Observing System serve as benchmarks. Policy Takeaways for Bangladesh:
- Ratify and domesticate key conventions, especially the Hong Kong Convention on ship recycling, and harmonize national laws with MARPOL and SDG 14 indicators.
- Establish a National Blue Carbon Strategy that links mangrove conservation, fishery protection, and emissions offsets.
- Engage in global coalitions like the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People or the Clean Maritime Coalition to gain access to climate financing, technology transfer, and market access.
- Integrate maritime sustainability into foreign policy, including port diplomacy, naval cooperation, and trade agreements.
Bangladesh’s maritime ambitions cannot exist in isolation. A robust global orientation—rooted in shared ocean stewardship—will allow it to lead, not follow, in the sustainability wave sweeping across global shipping, fisheries, and coastal development.
Conclusion: A Sea Change in Development Trajectory
Bangladesh stands at a critical sailing point. The maritime sector—once synonymous with peril and pollution—can become the nation’s frontline of sustainable development. By aligning port operations with nature-based management, elevating labor rights at sea, greening shipping and logistics, and investing in coastal resilience, the country can anchor SDG achievements in tangible progress.
If the 2030 Agenda is humanity’s moral compass, then the Bay of Bengal—and all global seas—are the veins through which that compass finds direction. Bangladesh must not let the tide pass by; instead, it must harness it, as an engine for inclusive, sustainable development.
Sources
- Bangladesh Blue Economy Master Plan, Ministry of Shipping (2023)
- International Maritime Organization (IMO) reports on ship recycling & marine environment
- Government of Bangladesh fisheries and coastal surveys (2022–2024)
- UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 progress report (2024)
- Port of Rotterdam Hydrogen Vision 2050
- Mauritius Marine Spatial Plan Initiative (UNEP)
- Ghana Maritime Authority – WIM-WCA Reports
- Port of Oslo – Smart Port Strategy
- Eco-Port Initiative – Japan Ministry of Transport
- Chattogram Port Authority Annual Report (2023)
- Lloyd’s List, BIMSTEC Maritime Briefs, IORA publications