Bangladesh has officially launched the development of a National Action Plan (NAP) to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping. This marks a critical step toward aligning the country's maritime sector with the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy. IMO resolution MEPC.367(79), adopted in 2022, encourages Member States to develop and submit voluntary NAPs outlining respective policies and actions to address GHG emissions from ships.
Led by the Department of Shipping under the Ministry of Shipping, and supported by the IMO's GreenVoyage2050 Programme, the initiative was launched at a multi-stakeholder workshop in Dhaka. The event brought together over 100 policymakers, private sector leaders, shipbuilders, academics, and energy specialists to identify actionable measures for greening Bangladesh's extensive maritime network, including over 24,000 km of inland waterways.
Director-General of the Department of Shipping, Commodore Mohammad Maksud Alam, emphasized the national importance of this initiative:
"Bangladesh is a proud maritime and riverine nation - home to thousands of seafarers, a thriving shipbuilding and recycling industry, with an extensive network of inland waterways. As we look to the future, we are seeking to understand how the global energy transition can unlock new economic opportunities for our people. This National Action Plan is a critical step in exploring how we can reduce emissions from shipping while strengthening our maritime workforce, catalysing the ship building industry, modernizing our ports, and building a cleaner, more resilient economy."
The workshop highlighted several priority actions: improving data collection and developing emission baselines, incentivizing the use of cleaner fuels, retrofitting domestic fleets, and enhancing training for seafarers and port managers. Participants also identified opportunities for greener ship design and localized innovation, leveraging facilities such as the Khulna shipyard. Integration of port development strategies, energy policies, and sustainable shipbuilding were considered as key enablers of long-term success.
Astrid Dispert, GreenVoyage2050 Programme Manager at IMO, acknowledged Bangladesh's leadership in the region:
"Bangladesh's ambition to integrate shipping, ports, and energy into a unified National Action Plan is commendable. With its extensive inland waterways and growing shipbuilding industry, the country is well-positioned to become a leader in sustainable maritime development. Through our GreenVoyage2050, we are proud to support Bangladesh in taking practical steps towards a decarbonized maritime future."
Discussions further explored financing solutions, including concessional loans and incentives for shipowners, as well as capacity-building programmes to support a skilled maritime workforce. The NAP will provide a strategic framework for aligning Bangladesh's maritime decarbonization efforts with national development goals and international climate commitments.
As a next step, a national baseline assessment will be undertaken and a dedicated NAP Task Force established to steer the development of the plan.
GreenVoyage2050 Programme
GreenVoyage2050 is a major technical cooperation programme initiated by the IMO to assist developing countries in reducing GHG emissions from shipping, aligning with the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy. Phase I of GreenVoyage2050 (2020-2023) supported partnering countries in developing policy frameworks and pilot projects to reduce GHG emissions from ships. Phase II (2024-2030) continues and expands this support, leveraging funding from the Governments of Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway.
