The state-owned Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) has launched a long-term strategic initiative dubbed the ‘One Ship Policy’ to aggressively expand its fleet. Under this plan, the corporation aims to acquire at least one new vessel annually using its own funds through 2030, provided financial conditions remain favorable.
A key pillar of this policy is ensuring operational continuity. BSC Managing Director, Commodore Mahmudul Malek, emphasized that new acquisitions will only proceed after reserving sufficient funds to maintain the existing fleet. "We will increase investment only while ensuring total financial stability," he stated.
In the initial phase, BSC is moving to acquire three vessels Two MR (Medium Range) Product Oil Tankers: Funded by the government at a cost of Tk 1,466 crore, currently awaiting ECNEC approval. To be purchased using BSC's own financing.
If approved, these three ships are expected to join the fleet within six to seven months.
The expansion also involves significant G-to-G (Government-to-Government) and multilateral projects:
China Partnership Construction of two crude oil mother tankers and two mother bulk carriers will begin next month following a recently finalized loan agreement with China.
Container Vessels The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has tentatively agreed to fund six container vessels (2,500–2,800 TEU capacity). These will serve as feeder ships from Singapore and Sri Lanka.
Japanese Procurement Plans are underway to procure three additional bulk carriers and three MR tankers, with Japan as the preferred partner.
BSC’s ultimate goal is to build an integrated fleet of 22 ships. While two have already joined and seven are in the immediate pipeline, the corporation expects to add 14 ships within the next three years. If all processes align, the full 22-ship fleet will be operational within five years, significantly boosting national cargo transportation capacity.
