In 1979, FAO funded contract for supply of 8 food grain carrying vessels to Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) was secured by Highspeed Shipyard, Narayanganj. There are more than fifty shipyards concentrated at Dhaka, Chittagong, Narayanganj, Barisal and Khulna regions where inland costal and fishing fleets are being built. During Pakistan period public sector enterprises dominated the shipbuilding Industry. During the first half of the 19th century, the shipyards at Chittagong built ships up to 1000 DWT. The British Navy used warships built at Chittagong in the famous Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The Mughal naval force had a large number of ships built at Chittagong. During the Mughal period, Bengal is said to have taken the lead in building ships and boats. In the 17th century, the ship building institutions of Chittagong are reported to have built a complete fleet of war-boats for the Sultan of Turkey. According to the European Traveller Caesar Frederick, Chittagong was the centre of building ocean-going vessels in the mid 15th century. The Moroccan traveller ibn batuta who came to Bengal in the 14th century saw numerous boats in the river carrying men and mercandise and testified to the existence of gigantic fleet of war-boats. Traditional ship and wooden boat were made in Chittagong. History of Bangladeshi shipbuilding' Since ancient period, Bengal had a glorious tradition of boat and ship building. Few local shipyards are capable of making ships up to 10,000 DWT (deadweight tonne) as per international standard. Recently Bangladesh has successfully exported her first ocean going ship to a high-end market like Denmark competing with giant competitor like China, India and Vietnam in 2008. All inland and coastal ships are constructed and repaired locally in Bangladeshi shipyards. Two million people are related directly or indirectly with shipbuilding industry. More than 150,000 skilled and semi-skilled workers are employed in this labour intensive sector. At present about 10,000 inland and coastal ships have been plying all over the country, which carry more than 90% of total oil product, 70% of cargo and 35% of passengers. It has 700 rivers that come down from the surrounding countries and which provide 24000 km long inland waterways. Bangladesh is a maritime nation with 9,000 sq km of territorial waters, 720 km long coastline. These views are supported by the current international economic crisis.Shipbuilding Industry an important economic and industrial sector in Bangladesh. Sceptics remain and there are those that do not believe that growth in the industry will be sustainable.
ANANDA SHIPYARDS AND SLIPWAYS UPGRADE
There is growing interest in this sector, with several companies indicating that they will upgrade existing facilities to meet international standards or that they will invest in the industry. It has received significant further orders, while a second company, Western Marine, has also received significant orders.
In 2005, Ananda Shipyards and Slipways Ltd secured the first modern order for ocean-faring vessels and it delivered the first ship in the first half of 2008. During the 20th century Bangladesh no longer produced ocean-faring vessels and concentrated on riverine and coastal water vessels. It also has a history of supplying ocean-faring vessels to European countries, including ships that partook in the Battle of Trafalgar. Thousands of locally-built ships ply its inland waters. Shipbuilding is synonymous with Bangladesh.
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