Western Marine Shipyard Awarded 2nd Prize in ICME2009 Exhibition, Buet, Dhaka

Chittagong, 26 December, 2009: A three day long engineering exhibition was organized by the Mechanical Engineering Dept of BUET in the campus of BUET starting from 26 Dec 2009. 41 organizations participated in the exhibition to display their engineering activity & their contribution to the nation. This exhibition was brought up with an international conference on Mechanical Engineering alongside, where researchers from number of foreign countries took part.

Western Marine Shipyard, the leading shipyard in the country participated in the exhibition & awarded the 2nd prize for their outstanding performance & display in the exhibit. The prize was awarded by the Hon’ble Industry Minister, Dr. Dilip Barua in the closing ceremony of the exhibition.

Western Marine one of the biggest shipyard in the country is currently engaged in shipbuilding for foreign 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 & 1 X Floating Reception Vessel for a Finis 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.

Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan in the Keel-Laying Ceremony of Ro-ro ferry at Western Marine

Chittagong, 19 December, 2009: The Shipping Minister, Shajahan Khan is to visit the leading shipyard of the country Western Marine at Ctg, as a chief guest in the occasion of Keel laying Ceremony for building 1 Ro-ro Ferry for BIWTC. The contract for building this Ro-ro ferry was signed between BIWTC & New Western Marine Ship Builders recently, which will come into activation from tomorrow 19 Dec 2009 through its Keel Laying Ceremony.

Beside the chief guest this festival will be graced by special guests like MP of Patiya Mr. Shamsul Hoque Chowdhury, Mr. Abdul Mannan Howlader Scretary of Ministry of Shipping, Mr. Golam Mostafa Kamal Chairman of BIWTC, Cdr R. U. Ahmed Chairman of CPA.

This ro-ro ferry shall be used for providing service to the passengers of Charjanajat Ferry-ghat at Munshiganj, which will help the people of Munshiganj to escape the existing rush of that place due to scarce transportation facility. It must be mentioned that such massive vessel capable of holding 340 passengers, with 25 crews & 27 heavy vehicles used to be imported from Denmark previously. But today it is being built in our mother land under supervision of classification society Germanischer Lloyd [GL], Germany. The vessel is expected to be delivered by May 2011.

Danish companies to invest country’s shipbuilding

Chittagong, 11 November, 2009: A 21-member high profile Danish business delegation including top shipbuilders today (Wednesday) visited Bangladesh’s leading shipbuilding company Western Marine Shipyard.

The delegation expressed deep satisfaction seeing the quality of the on-going Danish, German and Finnish ship making projects of Western Marine Shipyard. They also expressed their willingness to invest in Bangladesh. Managing Director of Western Marine Shipyard explain about the company activities to the Danish delegation.

The business delegation are on a week long visit (November 8 to 13, 2009) to Bangladesh. They are mostly active in the production of components and services required for maritime industry and similar industries including marine fisheries/food processing.

As the world starts recovering from the worst financial crisis, business delegations from all over Europe are visiting Bangladesh to explore possibilities of business through partnership.

The Danish visiting team during their visit exchanged ideas and information stating – shipbuilding has a great opportunity in the development of Bangladesh by creating joint ventures between the two countries in the form of job creation, diversifying exports, including fisheries and food processing.

Prior to the visit of the delegation team the Project Coordinator of “Business to Business Development” programme under the Royal Danish Embassy at a press briefing said, “I strongly believe in combining Danish know-how with Bangladeshi low labour costs and hard work in joint ventures (JV) or other forms of strategic partnerships will give Bangladeshi companies the possibility to acquire the necessary skills and experience to support the shipbuilding industry.”

Bangladesh is believed to be 15 per cent cheaper in building small ocean-going vessels compared to its main competitors like Vietnam, primarily due to low labor costs, he added.

Bangladeshi companies are presently capable of producing 40 percent of the components for vessels built for local demand.

German Asia-Pacific Business Association (OAV) Exploring cooperation for stabilizing growth through shipbuilding & other sectors.

Chittagong, 29 October, 2009: A 15-member German business delegation comprising of Representatives from shipbuilding, design, engineering, energy, IT sector etc, are on a six day visit to Bangladesh since 25 October 2009. The delegation while attending a Seminar during its visit to the country’s leading shipyard “Western Marine Shipyard” on 29 October 2009 opined that, they see huge potentiality of Bangladesh to grow as a significant shipbuilding nation.

With global financial crunch behind us and as the world economy is showing signs of recovery – there is every reason for both the buyers & the builders to hope for a better future. The discussants expressed that shipbuilding sector can be Bangladesh’s next flagship industry after RMG with potentials to earn billions of dollars. Although Asia appears to be recovering from the global recession faster than the west – during the discussion it was also pointed out that the regions continued economic progress will largely depend upon the governments new policies for a post crisis world including a shift in focus- from the quality to the quantity of the growth. The current global recession is an important wake- up call. Better balance, stability coordination, sustainability and integration are some of the attributes that government should take into consideration.

Bangladesh with a population of over 140 million offers an attractive destination for foreign investors with its pool of educated, qualified, skilled, semi-skilled, low cost, easily trainable and ingenious labor force. Endowed with natural resources like – gas, coal, huge water bodies and fertile soil, as well as established and budding entrepreneur class. With the completion of Asian Highway & Bangladesh – Myanmar Highway- this country is destined to become the gateway between South-Asia and South-East Asia – remarked the chairman of Western Marine Shipyard, Mr. Saiful Islam.

Germany had always been the most consistent friendly nation – and has been operating with long-term perspective including transfer of technology, value addition to its local business partners, said Peter Clasen, head of the visiting delegation of German Asia-Pacific Business Association (OVA).

The Government of Bangladesh in order to attract foreign investment, have progressively liberalized its macro-economic policies and opened almost all sectors of the economy, including energy, telecom, IT, ports, infrastructure to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). It has also extended a unique package of incentives & facilities to FDI including floating rate of exchange and guaranteed repatriation of capital & profit by legislation.

We welcome our German friends & partners to exploit these emerging opportunities – said Mr. Abdul Mobin, the Technical Director of western Marine Services in his address.

Korean Delegation Team Visits Bangladesh’s Leading shipyard: Western Marine at

Chittagong, 13 October, 2009: Prof. H.H. Chun, Director of Advanced Ship Engineering Research Center (ASERC) at the Pusan National University, Korea which has the most modern and comprehensive research facility on ship designing in the whole world, has visited Bangladesh today, 13 October 2009. He was accompanied with Prof. Sung Won Kang, Prof. Je Myung Lee from Pusan National University. After his arrival he visited the leading shipyards of the country, Western Marine Shipyard at Chittagong.

During the shipyard visit, Director Chun expressed his delight & deep satisfaction towards this emerging industry of Bangladesh. In a dialogue he mentioned that he will allow provision of scholarship to students from the department of Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering of Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology (BUET) to do their research in ASERC, Korea. He has also mentioned that he expects to have proposition from the Shipyards in Bangladesh towards the Korean investors in shipbuilding industry, which he will place to these investors to extend the bilateral trade between the two nations through business collaboration.

Therefore, as a matter of national interest Western Marine which is involved in shipbuilding for the foreign buyers including Denmark, Germany & Finland is very much optimistic about this goodwill visit at their shipyard. During the thanks giving speech Mr. M.A. Mobin, Director, Western Marine Shipyard warmly recognized the active co-operation of the various Bangladesh ministries, banks, media, classification societies, & foreign investors in the development of the Shipbuilding industry in Bangladesh. He has also welcomed any such avenue for collaborative effort of Bangladesh & S. Korea.

The shipyard is hopeful that this visit will further stretch the strong diplomatic relation of Bangladesh & S. Korea and will open a new opportunity of bilateral trade between the two nations through investment in the Bangladeshi shipyards & technology transfer through academic collaboration. To be mentioned the Dhaka Zonal General Manager of Daewoo International Corporation, Mr. H.S. Kim; the Country Manager of Germanischer Lloyd in Bangladesh, Mr. C. F. Zaman; & the Country Manager of Bureau Veritas, Bangladesh, Mr. Md. Harunor Rashid joined the delegation team during the shipyard visit.

Managing Director, Western Marine Shipyard to Represent the Shipbuilding Industry of Bangladesh in International Conference, Asia Pacific Weeks 2009, Berlin.

Chittagong, 05 October, 2009:The international conference, Asia-Pacific Weeks, held at Berlin, Germany in every 2 years to discuss about various bilateral relation & business-ties between Germany & the Asian-Pacific countries will start on 7th October, 2009 & last till 18th October, 2009. This is a matter of pride for our nation, that Mr. Sakhawat Hossain, the Managing Director of country’s leading shipyard, Western Marine Shipyard Ltd. Chittagong, has been invited to this remarkable event at Berlin to represent the shipbuilding industry of Bangladesh & the international shipbuilding industry in the conference. He has been invited to the event to bring up the current status of shipbuilding in Bangladesh & how Bangladesh is emerging in the global market of shipbuilding. Mr. Hoosain will present a speech in the conference under the panel “Harbor Logistics & Maritime Traffic” on 10th October 2009.

Western Marine Shipyard is a pioneer shipbuilder of the country, engaged in shipbuilding activity since 2000. The company has made 54 vessels for the domestic market, and currently building 18 vessels which are to be exported in the European market. Its order book contains twelve 5200 DWT Multi-Purpose-Cargo Vessel for German buyer, five 4100 DWT Ice-Class Containerized Vessel for Danish buyer, & one Floating Reception for Finland.

Western Marine Sails across to Abu Dhabi to participate in Intl. Maritime Exhibit & its business development

Chittagong, 04 October, 2009: The leading shipyard of the nation Western Marine Shipyard Ltd. will be attending the Middle East Workboat 2009 exhibition, to be organized by Seatrade at Abu Dhabi on 5th Oct’ 2009. The exhibition will last till 7th Oct’ 2009. To be mentioned this exhibition will be the biggest trade fare representing the world maritime & shipbuilding industry ever organized in the Middle East region. In these 3 days long program, Western Marine will have the opportunity of highlighting its shipbuilding practice in the international shipping industry through it various promotional activities in the event.

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 & 1 X Floating Reception vessel for a Finis 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.

Western Marine Sponsors Golf Tournament at Bogra Golf Club ‘Western Marine Cup Golf Tournament 2009’

Chittagong, 18 July, 2009: The pioneer shipbuilder “Western Marine Shipyard Ltd.” has sponsored a Golf Tournament in Bogra Golf Club: “Western Marine Cup Golf Tournament-2009”. The tournament was initiated on 18 July 2009 through a ceremonial golf shot taken by the Sr. Vice President of Bogra Golf Club & General Officer Commanding 11 Infantry Division, Maj Gen. Zia-Ur-Rahman. Ninety-six (96) golfers took part in this tournament including lady & junior golfers. The winner in the tournament was Maj. Mohammad Zakir Ahamed scoring a point of Gross 95 & Net 73 in 23 hours in this 9 hole golf court. The Senior winner prize was won by Maj. Gen Md. Zia-Ur-Rahman & the Lady/Junior prize was awarded to Master Yead Al Ashrafi.

The Managing Director of Western Marine Shipyard Ltd., Mr. Sakhawat Hossain & Director Mr. Shah Alam were present during the ceremony. Mr. Sakhawat Hossain expressed his deepest gratitude for having the opportunity of sponsoring such an elegant sport played by a chosen group of privileged individuals.

The City Bank Sanctions Credit of BDT 1.62 bln to Western Marine Shipyard, for shipbuilding & Export

Dhaka, 06 July, 2009: The City Bank Limited and Western Marine Shipyard Limited (WMShL) recently entered into a corporate agreement sanctioning a credit facility of BDT 1.62 bln to the country’s leading shipyard WMShL, to export 02 x 5200 DWT ocean going ice-class ships (out of 12 ships) for a German company. This “Agreement Signing Ceremony” was held in a branch of City Bank at Agrabad, Ctg. Top officials and officers from both sides who are working closely with the project were present in the occasion. These two ships are scheduled to be exported by Sep 2010.

The honorable Managing Director Mr. K. Mahmood Sattar, Deputy Managing Director – Business Mr. Sohail R. K. Hussain, and Sr. V. President & Head of CRM Mr. Md. Ehsan Khasru from City Bank’s part and Managing Director Mr. Md. Sakhawat Hossain, Operation Director Capt. ABM Fazle Rabbi, Director Mr. Abu Md. Fazle Rashid, & Director Mr. Shah Alam from Western Marine’s side were present amongst others. This agreement was signed by the Managing Director of City Bank Mr. K. Mahmood Sattar and the Managing Director of WMShL Mr. Md. Sakhawat Hossain, said a press release.

Both the organizations hoped that this agreement will prove to be very successful and the timely delivery of the two ships will not only bring prosperity and honor for the nation but will also help in developing the emerging shipbuilding sector of the country. The dignitaries in the occasion gratefully acknowledged the significant progress of Western Marine at such a short period of time. They are very hopeful about further success and wished that the organization shall be able to grab more international orders of shipbuilding in the coming days.

Western Marine presently has orders for five 4,100DWT ice-class container vessels for Denmark, twelve 5200DWT multi-purpose vessels for German owners and a few specialized vessels for a Finnish company, which occupies 60% capacity of the shipyard. The yard is now ready in all respect to take further orders from overseas.

PPP Agreement Signing between Western Marine Shipyard Ltd. & German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) for developing ‘WMS Healthy Worker & Community Care

Chittagong, 30 June, 2009: Western Marine Shipyard Limited (WMShL) & German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) has signed a PPP agreement [public private partnership] for the purpose of developing “WMS Healthy Worker & Community Care Services”. This joint project shall not only ensure the health safety of the Western Marine personnel approx 10,000 population in Kolagaon, but also help in developing health consciousness in the local community of Kolagaon.

The agreement was signed in the head office of Western Marine at Agrabad, Chittagong by the Managing Director of Western Marine Shipyard, Mr. Sakhawat Hossain & Dr. Andrea Knigge from GTZ side as its Chief Technical Advisor of WMShL. Today Bangladesh & German development cooperation is focused on the three priority areas of healthcare, energy & good governance and during negotiation (few years ago) Govt. of German pledged 10 million Euros for technical cooperation in these three areas. GTZ have been supporting the reform of Bangladesh health sector through the Health, Nutrition, and Population Sector Program and will remain active in the area of HIV/AIDS.

Both the organizations are hoping that this socio-economic development will prove to be very successful in providing quality health care service to the local community of Kolagaon. A Health Care Centre shall be built inside the premises of Western Marine Shipyard, Kolagaon as a component of this welfare scheme as well as discharging CSR (corporate social responsibility).