Bangladesh on Monday took a significant step towards strengthening marine environmental protection, safeguarding coastal communities and promoting sustainable maritime trade by acceding to three major international maritime liability conventions.
The move is expected to bring the country’s maritime legal and institutional framework into closer alignment with internationally recognised standards and best practices, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Shipping.
The accession forms part of the government’s commitment to ensuring safe navigation, protecting the marine environment and promoting responsible maritime governance. The initiative was undertaken by the Ministry of Shipping.
At a ceremony held at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London on Monday, Minister for Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Sheikh Robiul Alam formally handed over the Instruments of Accession to IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez.
Also present at the ceremony were Bangladesh’s Acting High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr M Nazrul Islam, and the Director General of the Department of Shipping, Commodore Md Shafiul Bari.
The three conventions acceded to by Bangladesh are the 1992 Protocol to the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC Protocol), the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001 (Bunker Convention), and the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, 2007 (Wreck Removal Convention).
Hundreds of ships transit Bangladesh’s waters or call at its ports every day, exposing the country to risks such as oil spills, bunker fuel pollution and shipwrecks that can threaten navigation and marine biodiversity.
According to the government, the conventions establish clear liability regimes and require compulsory insurance, ensuring that adequate financial compensation is available in the event of maritime accidents without prolonged legal disputes.
The government said the accession would also generate economic benefits.
Bangladeshi-flagged vessels will no longer need to obtain convention certificates from foreign maritime administrations, reducing costs, saving time and conserving foreign exchange.
In addition, compliance with the conventions is expected to improve the international acceptability of Bangladesh-flagged ships among charterers, insurers and port authorities, while reducing commercial delays and additional inspections at foreign ports.
More than 100 countries are already parties to these conventions.
The government said Bangladesh’s accession aligns the country with internationally recognised maritime regulatory frameworks and reinforces its position as a responsible maritime nation amid growing shipping activity, port operations and coastal development.
It added that the move would help the country fulfil its international obligations while protecting national interests and strengthening maritime governance.
Cox’s Bazar Life Desk
