Department of Shipping

The department is focused on modernizing maritime safety and operational transparency by transitioning to digital management systems for vessel allocation and seafarer certification.

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.