Dutch Ambassador Alphons Hennekens leads a Dutch delegation to Western Marine in Chittagong

Chittagong, April 04, 2011: H.E. Mr. Alphons J.A.J.M.G. Hennekens, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Bangladesh visited the leading shipyard of the country Western Marine Shipyard Ltd along with a Dutch delegation team from Holland Marine Equipment. The Dutch delegation team was headed by the head of delegation, Mr. Harry Pronk, who is the Export Manager of Dagin Marine Technology.

The delegation consisted of members from six Dutch marine equipment producers & suppliers. Each of the team members presented on their product to the shipyard management team & discussed its benefits.

Mr. Sakhawat Hossain the Managing Director of the shipyard hosted the delegation during the visit & said that Western Marine is closely associated with the Netherlnds as the yard is using several Dutch made equipments & machineries in building ships, & this relation will continue to grow as Western Marine believes in technology transfer.

The Chairman of the yard, Mr. Saiful Islam highly admired the visit made saying “the shipyard has been able to make its place in the global shipbuilding industry, as a result we are being visited by such delegation from all across the world”.

The Ambassador Mr. Hennekens made first visit to the yard on February 2010, & he was very impressed to see yard’s progress just in one year. He admired the on-going activity of the yard and said the Dutch collaboration with such company has made the embassy works much convenient at certain level & they are honored for it.

It may be mentioned that currently Western Marine is already associated with certain Dutch companies like Peter’s Shipyard, MK Shipping, HRP, ECONOSTO, El-Tech, Bramen Shipping Industries, Coops & Nieborg and NRF for their following foreign shipbuilding projects: 5 X 4100 DWT ice-class container vessels for Stella Shipping, Denmark; 08 X 5200 DWT MPC vessels for Grona Shipping, Germany, 2 X Passenger vessel for Karachi Port Trust, Pakistan; & 1 X passenger ferry for Hundesetd Rorvig, Denmark. The outstanding shipbuilding practice of the company has enhanced it to achieve a global reputation at a very short period of time ensuring several international contracts & also local orders to meet the demand for inland vessels, in both the public & private sector.

Western Marine delivers two more ice-class ships to Germany Ministry to form coordination cell for shipbuilding, Dilip

Chittagong, March 31, 2011: Bangladesh’s leading Shipbuilding Company Western Marine Shipyard Limited today (Thursday) delivered two more ships to its German buyer making another milestone in country’s shipbuilding sector.
Minister for Industries Mr. Dilip Barua was present as the chief guest during the delivery of the two 100-metre-long ice-class vessels— EMSLAKE and EMSDOLLART, having a capacity of 5,200 DWT (deadweight tonnage), to Grona Shipping GmbH at a ceremony at Chittagong Dry Dock Ltd.

Addressing the function, Mr. Dilip Barua said that he felt proud as Western Marine delivered two more ships to Germany just after delivering two ships four months back.

“It is indeed a matter of great honor to see international buyers from Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, and Finland coming to Bangladesh for building their vessels. The combined efforts of the shipbuilders has resulted Bangladesh’s capturing significant orders,” he said at the function.

The industries minister said the ministry will soon constitute a coordination cell, comprising of experts in shipbuilding sector to ensure that Bangladesh built ships perform at the highest levels of safety and operational efficiency.

He said if shipbuilding industry could maintain the current upward trend, then this sector could be Bangladesh’s surest path to attainment of Middle Income Country (MIC) status while re-branding country’s image as a ‘Shipbuilding Nation’ through securing bilateral trade with friendly European partners.

Vice Admiral Zahir Uddin Ahmed, (ND), ndc, psc, Chief of The Naval Staff, Bangladesh Navy, H. E. Mr. Holger Michael, Ambassador of Federal Republic of Germany to Bangladesh, Mr. Abed Khan, Editor, The Daily Kaler Kontho, Engr. Enamul Baqui, MD, Chittagong Dry Dock, Mr. Sohail R. K. Hussain, AMD, The City Bang, Mr. Ehsan Khasru, AMD, The City were present at the program as special guests Vice Admiral Zahir Uddin Ahmed, (ND), ndc, psc, said that joint effort by public and private sector will accelerate growth of shipbuilding sector in the country. H. E. Mr. Holger Michael, Ambassador of Federal Republic of Germany to Bangladesh said that Bangladesh earned global reputation in shipbuilding after the readymade garment manufacturing. Bilateral trade between Germany and Bangladesh will increase further if the governments of the both countries work together.

Mr. Abed Khan, Editor, of the Daily Kaler Kontho said that though Chittagong was very important city for country’s economy, the government had not been doing much for the development Chittagong. He hoped that government would take proper steps for the development of Chittagong & proper take care of shipbuilding at Chittagong to be taken for the sake of economy to rise.

The Western Marine Chairman Mr. Saiful Islam said that the delivery of the vessels will uplift our image further in the globe, & these vessels will give the message to rest of the world that “we are not an underdeveloped country any more as we are in the business of heavy & hi-tech construction”.

Addressing the program, Western Marine Managing Director Mr. Sakhawat Hossain said that it was another record in Bangladesh that just after 124 days Western Marine made another 2 x 5200 DWT ships to handover to their German owner.

The each 100 M long vessels – so far the largest ever built in Bangladesh, is made up of 1750 MT of ice class steel, 60 MT of welding electrodes and took 7,00,000 man hours to build them. Besides, 23 KM of electrical cables were laid inside her body. 35,000 ltrs of sigma paints from Malaysia was used for their skin protection & beautification.

Earlier in November, Western Marine delivered two ships of the same size and capacity to the same owner as part of the project under which Western Marine is scheduled to deliver 04 more ships to the German company by this year. The ships are the largest ever built by a Bangladeshi shipyard. Western Marine is currently engaged in building 13 more vessels for local & foreign buyers.

Western Marine launches Occupational Health & Safety policy Aims to reduce preventable accidents to zero per cent by 2012

Chittagong, March 24, 2011: Bangladesh leading shipbuilding company Western Marine Shipyard Limited today (Thursday) launched Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) policy, aims at reducing preventable accidents at the workplace to zero per cent by 2012.

Md. Sakhawat Hossain, Managing Director of Western Marine said that the company would follow internationally recognized OHS programme to improve occupational health and safety measures for its employees to reduce the workplace accident to ‘zero’ per cent.

“The health and safety of workers are very important to Western Marine as we consider our employees as a family. With the proper implementation of the policy, we are confident to achieve zero percent accident in 2012,” said Md. Sakhawat Hossain while addressing the OHS progarmme at the shipyard of the company, situated at Kolagaon at Patiya.

Through introduction of an OHS program supported by the policy, Western Marine demonstrates it compliance to internationally held principles of socially and environmentally responsible business Dr. Md. Abu Taher, Director (Health) of Chittagong Division inaugurated the OHS programme as the chief guest.

Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury, President of IBFB and former Mayor of Chittagong City Corporation and Dr. Andy Thompson, an expert on OHS from Management and Occupational Medicine, South Africa, were present at the function as the special guests.

Besides, Country Director of GIZ Bangladesh, Mr. Olaf Handloegten and Workplace Learning and Productivity Advisor of ILO Bangladesh, Mr. Francis Dilip Vasant Desilva, were also present at the function as the special guests.

Addressing the function, Mr. Abu Taher said that he was very happy to see the community services of Western Marine Shipyard, contributing to health and safety of the employees as well the residents living adjacent to the shipyard.

The Ministry of Health & Family Planning is also involved in this development by providing free medicine & health care service. Mr. Abu Taher assured to continue the support.

Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury said that Western Marine Shipyard Limited made revolution in Bangladeshi ship building sector and hoped more large shipbuilding companies would emerge out in the country led by Western Marine.

Remarking on the role of private sector in development of occupational health & safety, Mr. Olaf Handloegten, Country Director, GIZ Bangladesh said that GIZ (German Development Cooperation) is supporting such development in several countries including Bangladesh, & he expressed his delight as company like Western Marine Shipyard has come ahead for implementing an Occupational Health & Safety Policy for creating safety awareness in the shipyard workforce.

Western Marine with the technical assistance of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) has been working on an OHS programme to address safety and health related hazards in the workplace to better protect the employees.

Western Marine, the pioneer in country’s shipbuilding sector, which recently delivered two ships to its German buyer, is scheduled to deliver another 2 X 5200 DWT ice-class vessels to the same German owner by this month.

Western Marine lays keel for building exclusive vessel for Chittagong Boat

Chittagong, 10 March 2011: Western Marine Shipyard in Chittagong has signed contract with Chittagong Boat Club for building a catamaran type passenger vessel. The keel laying ceremony for this newbuilding was held in Western Marine Shipyard Ltd, Patiya yesterday Wednesday, 09 March 2011. The Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Zahir Uddin Ahmed,(ND), ndc, psc had graced the occasion as the Chief guest. Dignitaries from all over the nation including high officials of Bangladesh Navy also attended the event.

This vessel will be operated by Western Marine Services Ltd in coastal &inland area within the Zone of Karnaphuli River & will also sail to Kutubdia during winter. The 30M long passenger ship is designed to accommodate 150 passengers.

The Chief Guest, Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zahir after visiting the shipyard highly admired the activity of Western Marine Shipyard. He said Khulna Shipyard under Bangladesh Navy is currently building 5 petrol boats for Bangladesh Navy. “So in this total management system, private companies like Western Marine could be a good choice for Bangladesh Navy’s newbuilding venture.” The Chairman of Western Marine Shipyard, Mr. Saiful Islam expressed his gratitude towards Bangladesh Navy & Ctg Boat Club for choosing Western Marine Shipyard to build this vessel. He assured the CNS & the members of the Boat Club that the vessel will be delivered on time maintaining highest quality. The Managing Director of Western Marine, Mr. Sakhawat Hossain stated the technical specification of this exclusive vessel & mentioned that the Govt of Bangladesh should come forward in building more of such vessel to transport passengers domestically, this will reduce the traffic density in our roads & highways, which is currently one of our major national crisis.

It must be mentioned that a catamaran is a twin hull passenger ship which comply highest safety measures. It is much upgraded in-terms of speed & luxury compared to other passenger vessels. Such new building in Bangladesh is a sign of emergence of exclusive shipbuilding in the country. The shipyard is expecting to deliver this ship by Jan 2012 & BDT 5 cr will be spent to construct this exclusive ship.

Western Marine lays keel of Danish Ferry

Chittagong, 10 February 2011: After setting a milestone in the history of Bangladesh by delivering two ice-class 5,200 DWT multi-purpose vessels to German owner; the renowned Chittagong based shipyard, Western Marine has set-off in creating another history. Today, 10th February 2011 Western Marine has inaugurated the construction work of one 49.80 M passenger ferry through a “Keel-Laying Ceremony” in their shipyard at Patiya. This ferry is being built for Danish ship-owner Hundested Rorvig Faergefart (HR). This newbuilding project will be monitored by the French classification society Bureau Veritas (BV). It must be mentioned that achievement of this order is a pride for Bangladesh because for the first time in the history of Denmark, a Danish company has placed a newbuilding order for ferry out of their nation. Denmark has a huge global fame in building the best quality ferries, in-fact several inland ferries in Bangladesh were imported from Denmark once. Today after decades the time has changed, Bangladesh will be exporting ferries to Denmark. Therefore this will be the beginning of a new chapter in the shipbuilding industry of Bangladesh.

Western Marine was nominated for this newbuilding order by Danish Maritime Authority (DMA), which is known for maintaining & following the stringent maritime safety rule in the world. The Secretary of Ministry of Commerce, Mr. Ghulam Hussain graced the Keel-Laying Ceremony as the Chief Guest; and the Chairman & CEO of East Coast Group, Mr. Azam J Chowdhury as the Special Guest. Besides a number of foreign dignitaries attended the ceremony including the ship owners, The Chairman & CEO of HR, Capt. Kennie G. Kjeldsen & Mr. Bo Andersen; Regional Head (SE Asian) of BV, Mr. Hubert Mignot; First Secretary of Asst High Commission of India, Mr. Ashok Yadav; and Representative of Western Marine in Europe & the MD of East Wind Germany, Mr. Hans-Ulrich Brenneke; Attorney-at-Law from Kromann Reumert, Denmark, Mr. William Kanta. Other guests who participated in this ceremony includes: the two DMDs of Southeast Bank, Mr. Syed Imtiaz Hasib & Mr. Shahid Hossain. Southeast bank has come forward as a financial partner to Western Marine in this project by facilitating a credit limit of BDT 44 cr (funded & non-funded).

The MD of Western Marine said that the shipyard will be successful in delivering the ferry to its owner by this year taking the image of our nation forward. The Chairman of Western Marine stated that trade between Bangladesh & Denmark is rising steadily & export of this ferry will further enhance the bilateral trade between these two nations. The owner of the ferry Mr. Anderson from HR, Denmark expressed his deep satisfaction on the shipyard’s activity & wished the management team a successful project. Mr. Hubert Mignot, the Regional Chief Executive of BV who has made a second visit to Western Marine mentioned that Western Marine is fully capable of handling such project & as a classification society they will always be beside to supervise the shipyard in this newbuilding. Mr. Hasib, DMD of Southeast Bank, appreciated the entrepreneurship of the shipyard for their success in such a short time & as a banker he said Southeast Bank is always ready to stretch its hand to such potential entrepreneurship.

Finally the Special Guest, Mr. Azam Chowdhury commented that today Bangladesh is no longer lacking behind in any aspect, the only thing required is a facilitating environment to accommodate & promote more entrepreneurship like Western Marine so we can move ahead. The Chief Guest Mr. Ghulam Hussain stated that the government has already identified shipbuilding as one of the most important emerging industrial sector in Bangladesh, which has the potentiality in up-lifting our economy enormously. So he assured that the government t will definitely come forward in assisting this industry in all aspect for a better future.

Western Marine delivers twin vessels to Germany Shipbuilding to fetch $5billion a year by 2015, says Dilip Barua

Chittagong, 26 November, 2010: Bangladesh’s leading shipbuilding company Western Marine Shipyard Limited, today ( Friday), delivered two ocean going vessels to its German owner GRONA Shipping GMbH Co. KG.

Mr. Saiful Islam, chairman of Western Marine formally delivered the twin vessels–“Grona Ammersum” & “Grona Biessum” , the largest ever ships built by a Bangladeshi company to Marku Vedder, representative of GRONA Shipping at a handing over ceremony held at the Chittagong Dry Dock Limited.

Minister for Industries Mr. Dilip Barua was present as the function as the chief guest while Mr. Martin Biesel, state secretary of the federal Foreign office of Germany and Mr. Holger Michael, German Ambassador to Bangladesh were present as the special guests.

The 100 meter long, 5,200 DWT, ice class vessels were built complying all the latest International Maritime Guidelines under the supervision of class Germanischer Lloyd. The vessels went for a successful sea trial on November 15, 2010.

Addressing the function, Mr. Dilip Barua said the government was actively considering to establish a special shipbuilding zone to promote this 100 per cent export oriented sector with the aim of earning $5 billion a year from export by 2015. He said considering the potential of the shipbuilding sector, the government had declared shipbuilding as thrust sector. The minister also said that Bangladesh Bank has been waiting for green light from the Finance ministry to fund the shipbuilding sector under a Tk 200 crore refinancing scheme.

Mr. Martin Biesel termed shipbuilding a great success story for Bangladesh. He said it would encourage the potential German investors to invest in Bangladesh.

Western Marine Managing Director Mr. Sakhawat Hossain said, “To build these strengthen ships 1500 MT of ice class steel has been fabricated using 60 MT of welding electrodes. Then, 22km of marine cables were laid in & 24,000 liter of Sigma paint was used for its skin protection & beautification. All these tasks took one million man-hours.”

Western Marine Chairman Mr. Saiful Islam said that shipbuilding sector could increase the GDP by at least 3 per cent within next six years as the sector had been showing great potential to become country’s largest foreign exchange earning sector.
“When other sectors are facing stiff competitions in the international market, shipbuilding is silently but surely moving ahead. The sector will be the driving force for another socio-economic uplift in our country.” he said.

Among others, Owner of the vessel Mr. Markku Vedder from Grona Shipping, Mahfuz Anam Editor The Daily Star. Quality Management Director Mr. Jalal Khaled also spoke at the program.

The minister later cut a cake with the guests and visited different parts of the ships.

Seminar on Modern Fishing Equipment arranged in Bangladesh for the first time

Chittagong, 24 June 2010: The newly established fishing gear provider SRL COSMOS TRAWL LTD has organized a seminar & workshop on modern fishing equipment, “Modern Fishing Equipment Seminar/Workshop 2010”. The seminar is to take place on 26th June 2010 starting from 9:30 AM till 5:00 PM at Sea Resources, Ichanagar. Such seminar has been arranged for the first time in Bangladesh to display all the latest fishing accessories, which will prove to be more efficient & effective for local fishers. Seven companies will participate in the seminar comprising six leading Danish companies specialized in manufacturing various fishing equipments & one local shipyard specialized in building modern deep sea fishing trawlers. These companies will update the local fishers by showing them their diversified range of products. It is believed that the local fishers are quite unfamiliar with the modern technology of fishing. If these facilities are undertaken the fishing business will be more cost effective & productive at the same time.

The six Danish companies & one local company presenting their technologies are:

Fishers & Western Marine Shipyard is a new joint venture of Fishers Shipyard Ltd & Western Marine Shipyard Ltd. These two companies have come ahead to design & build international standard fishing trawler at 20% cheaper cost. The two organizations have vast knowledge in their respective field. Fishers Shipyard has a strong reputation as Fishers Dockyard for vast knowledge in fishing sector since 1984. Where in the other hand Western Marine engaged in building sea going vessels for European owners has got good experience in building high quality vessels.

Cosmos Trawl A/S is Denmark’s largest and leading fishing gear manufacturer, with a history going back to 1879. Cosmos is also part of the international Hampidjan Group, who has service divisions Worldwide, and own in-house development and manufacturing of high quality netting, ropes and trawl doors.

AS SCAN has 50 years experience in manufacturing and installation of all kinds of deck machinery for marine and fishing vessels under the SCAN WINCHES name. AS SCAN also manufacture complete steering gear with hydraulic and electronic equipment, and also have agency for propellers and nozzles etc.

KM Fish Machinery A/S manufactures machines and complete fish and shrimp processing systems for installation on board fishing trawlers and in land-based factories. The product programme includes A.O. Grading systems, Freezers, Washers and Design of processing areas.

Kølemadsen A/S has been working with refrigeration machinery since 1969 and has a wide experience in installation and repairing of refrigeration machinery both on fishing vessels as well as at the coastal enterprises. Kølemadsen does everything from designing of the system, its installation and final start-up.

Western Marine Shipyard sign with Fishers shipyard to built fishing

Chittagong, 13 June 2010: The first time the Country’s leading Shipbuilding Company Western Marine Shipyard will build international standard fishing trawler. They signed a partnership deed with Fishers Shipyard which is the sub organization of Sea Resource group. The sign held in Dhaka recently.

By this sign highly technological and about 350 Metric tons maintaining fishing trawler will be built in this country which runs on deep sea easily and also capable to catch and preserve fishes.

Mr. Md. Sakhawat Hossain, Managing Director of Western Marine Shipyard Ltd and Mr. A Rouf Chowdhury, Managing Director of Sea fishers signed the behalf of their respective organizations.

There have a lot of accumulate experience to built international level ships and management and repair fishing trawler of Western Marine and Sea Fishers Limited. Both organizations will built first International standard fishing trawler which fulfill our country’s demand. By this, country will get huge foreign currencies.

Mr. Md. Saiful Islam, Chairman of Western Marine Shipyard Limited, Major Jalal Khaled (retd.), Quality Management Director of Western Marine and Prof. M S Chowdhury, Chairman of Sea Resource, Amanullah Chowdhury, Managing Director of Sea Fishers Limited, Mrs. Zakia Rouf Chowdhury, Executive Vice Chairperson of Rangs Group, Major Abul Fattah (retd), Director (Co-ordination) of Sea Resource, H M Nizam Uddin, Director (Resident) of Sea Resource, S M A Hannan, General Manager of Sea Fishers were present the agreement sign program.

The authority of both organization hope that the foreign investors will encourage by this agreement and the development of ship building industries will increase, plays a great rule of economical development and to fulfill national budget. This deal will help to increase the bilateral co operation between two companies.

At present the shipyard is making 20 nos ocean going vessels for overseas buyer & 4 nos vessel Bangladesh. This shipyard is ready to build more ships with all types of advantage.

Western Marine participates International Shipping Exhibition in Greece

Chittagong, 10 June 2010: Country’s leading shipbuilding company Western Marine Shipyard Ltd. has been taking part in the ‘International Shipping Exhibition’ in Greece for the first time for a Bangladeshi company.

A rare feat for a Bangladeshi company, Western Marine is showcasing its shipbuilding capabilities at the exhibition started on June 7. A total of 1976 stalls of different companies from around the world have been participating in the Exhibition which will conclude on June 11.

Western Marine one of the biggest shipyard in the country is currently engaged in shipbuilding for international buyers. The shipyard has confirmed orders for 18 no. of international ocean-going vessels. Its order consists of 5 X 4100 DWT Ice-class container vessels for Denmark, 12 X 5200 DWT Multi Purpose Cargo vessels for Germany buyer. The outstanding shipbuilding practice of the company has enhanced it to achieve a global reputation at a very short period of time ensuring several international contracts & also local orders to meet the demand for inland vessels, in both the public & private sector.

State Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Capt (Retd) Mozibur Rahman inaugurates first public-private Primary Health Care Centre in

Chittagong, 01 June 2010: The Honourable State Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Capt. (Retd.) Mozibur Rahman Fakir today inaugurated the first Public-Privately run Primary Health Care Centre in Western Marine Shipyard located in Kolagaon union no.4 under Patiya upazila at Chittagong. The Centre, constructed by Western Marine Shipyard is run in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, who provide core staff and services in order to provide quality healthcare to the surrounding community.

In inaugurating the health centre the State Minister said ‘we have dreamt of a better and a self reliant Bangladesh, and Western Marine is turning these into reality’. Furthermore he added that the centre will ‘provide quality healthcare services for the surrounding community, and will be regarded as a unique asset for others to follow.’

Healthcare is a constitutional right of the citizens of Bangladesh, and this government is determined to fill 32,000 vacant posts in the health care sector inorder to fulfill our election pledges; these posts will be filled in the next few months’

Professor Shah Monir Hossain, DG, DGHS, in his speech assured that all necessary help will be given to Western Marine in order to develop the health care centre as one of the best community clinics in the country.

Special Guest, Mr. Hans Hinrich Schnelle, First Secretary, Development Cooperation, German Embassy in Dhaka, commented that ‘Germany has been Bangladesh’s consistent friend for over 40 years, and was one of the first countries to recognize Bangladesh’s independence following the liberation war’ ‘Health is one of the four areas in which Germany is providing the private sector the necessary support to improve the much needed facilities and infrastructure’

Present amongst others were the MP of Patiya, Mr Shamsul Hoque Chowdhury, who assured the state minister that Western Marine would continue their CSR efforts for the local community and will do everything to secure govt help for turning it into a model community Health Care Centre.

Managing Director of Western Marine Shipyard, Mr. Sakhawat Hossain in his address stated that “Healthy workers are productive workers”, the realization of which prompted him to sign a PPP agreement with GTZ last year.

The healthcare centre is one part of a Public Private Partnership between Western Marine Shipyard, German Technical Cooperation (GTZ)), and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GoB. The partnership works to provide effective health services to the workforce of the shipyard and surrounding community, and to develop benchmarks for health and safety in shipbuilding in Bangladesh, one of the country’s most rapidly developing industrial sectors. The centre was constructed by Western Marine Shipyard, with guidance and support from GTZ, who have worked with the shipyard and MOHFW to develop the joint model of service provision, and ensure the communities’ needs are met.

The healthcare centre provides Primary Healthcare to the 2500 strong workforce, and the surrounding community of approx 26,000. Full primary healthcare services, including Antenatal / Postnatal care, and family planning services will be available, and the centre will be staffed by a part time doctor/staffs from the DGHS including a full time doctor and several experienced medical assistants from the shipyard side.