Maersk Eyes Investment In Bangladesh Shipbuilding, With Ship Recycling Also On Agenda

Danish shipping and logistics company AP Moller-Maersk is interested in investing directly in Bangladesh’s shipbuilding industry.

The company has also discussed the possibility of investing in ship recycling in the country.

The issue was discussed at a meeting on Aug. 29 between Commerce, Industry and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Denmark’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Christian Brix Møller and René Pihl Pedersen, managing director of AP Moller Singapore Pte Ltd.

The Danish ambassador said Maersk Line was interested in making direct investments in Bangladesh’s shipbuilding industry, according to the Commerce Ministry.

Muktadir asked Maersk to also consider investing in Bangladesh’s ship recycling sector.

“Maersk Line has a large number of large ships worldwide. Therefore, Bangladesh can emerge as a promising hub not only for the environmentally sound and internationally compliant recycling of the company’s old vessels, but also for building new ships,” the minister said, according to the ministry.

Maersk operates a large fleet of ships and has shipping and logistics businesses around the world.

The meeting also discussed Bangladesh’s experience and potential in shipbuilding and ship recycling.

Muktadir said more investment from international companies could bring capital, technology and skills to Bangladesh and help develop related industries.

Those at the meeting said large international investments in shipbuilding and ship recycling could support industrial development and help Bangladesh make better use of its blue economy.

They also said such investment could create jobs, bring new technology and skills and support other related industries.

No investment amount, specific project, shipyard, recycling facility or timeline was announced at the meeting.

The discussions therefore remain at the stage of interest and talks, with no specific Maersk investment in Bangladesh announced so far.

References: thedailystar, tbsnews