Dhaka looks IMO’s support for compliant ship recycling

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Thursday said Dhaka is keen to get continuous support from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for ensuring an environment-friendly hazard-free shipbreaking industry in Bangladesh. 

“Last year June Bangladesh ratified the Hong Kong Convention for the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships. We look forward to IMO’s continued support in achieving compliance of our recycling yards with the provisions of the convention,” he said.

The Foreign Secretary was speaking at a programme at the foreign ministry where IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez Velasco delivered a lecture on “Towards a Net Zero Shipping 2050: IMO’s Vision for a Just and Equitable Transition”.

Masud said the International Maritime Organization (IMO), while achieving a net zero vision, will safeguard the interests of all member states and promote ensure access to critical technologies and know-how for developing countries.

“As a category-C Council Member of IMO, Bangladesh will remain engaged with advancing this vision on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities,” he said.

Secretary (Maritime Affairs Unit) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rear Admiral (Retd) Md Khurshed Alam also spoke.

IMO SG Arsenio Dominguez Velasco, who was elected as the Secretary-General of the IMO in January, is now in Dhaka on a four-day official visit.

Bangladesh is the first Asian country he is visiting after taking office.