Maersk Shows Interest in Direct Investment in Bangladesh’s Shipbuilding Industry
Maersk Line has expressed interest in directly investing in Bangladesh’s shipbuilding industry, while talks have also explored possible investment in the country’s ship recycling sector.
The development was discussed at a meeting held at the residence of Commerce, Industries and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir in the city, according to a press release.
Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Christian Bricks Moller and Rene Pil Pedersen, Managing Director of A.P. Moller Singapore Pte Ltd, attended the meeting.
During the meeting, the Danish ambassador said Maersk Line is interested in making direct investment in Bangladesh’s shipbuilding industry.
Maersk has a long-standing global presence in the shipping and logistics industry, operating vessels and maritime businesses in markets around the world.
Bangladesh Seeks Maersk Investment in Ship Recycling
The commerce minister urged Maersk to expand its potential investment beyond shipbuilding and also consider Bangladesh’s ship recycling industry.
He said Maersk operates a large fleet of vessels worldwide and suggested that Bangladesh could become a promising hub for both shipbuilding and environmentally sound, internationally compliant ship recycling.
According to the meeting, Bangladesh has long-standing experience and significant potential in both shipbuilding and ship recycling.
Attracting international investment into these sectors could help Bangladesh accelerate industrialisation and strengthen its blue-economy potential.
The meeting also noted that investment could create new employment opportunities, support technology and skills transfer, and encourage the development of related industries.
Maersk Investment Could Strengthen Bangladesh’s Maritime Sector
If the investment interest develops into concrete projects, participation by a major global shipping company such as Maersk could provide important opportunities for Bangladesh’s maritime industry.
Investment in shipbuilding could strengthen local industrial capacity, while investment in ship recycling could support the development of facilities that meet international environmental and safety standards.
Together, these sectors could contribute to employment, technology transfer and the growth of supporting maritime businesses.
For Bangladesh, attracting major international companies could also help connect its shipbuilding and ship recycling industries with the wider global maritime supply chain.
Officials Attend Meeting
Several senior officials from the Bangladeshi government, Maersk and the Royal Danish Embassy attended the meeting.
Those present included Md Firoz Uddin, Joint Secretary (FTA) of the Commerce Ministry; Mahbuba Khatun Minu, Joint Secretary (FTA-2); and Khairuzzaman, Joint Secretary of the Industries Ministry.
Representing A.P. Moller Maersk Group was Vivek Sharma, Head of Business Development, Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs for India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Also attending were Khalid Mustafiz Gaffar, Country Director (Public Affairs) of Maersk Bangladesh Limited, and Samina Ahsan Shahrokh, Senior Adviser for Trade, Investment and Danida Business at the Royal Danish Embassy.
The meeting highlights Bangladesh’s efforts to attract international investment into shipbuilding, ship recycling and the wider maritime economy, while Maersk’s interest could create opportunities for deeper commercial engagement in the country’s maritime sector.
