Identifying and Analysing Underlying Problems of Shipbuilding Industries in Bangladesh
Journal of Mechanical Engineering, Vol. ME 41, No. 2, December 2010
Transaction of the Mech. Eng. Div., The Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh
147
IDENTIFYING AND ANALYSING UNDERLYING PROBLEMS OF
SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRIES IN BANGLADESH
K. Shahriar Iqbal*, N. M. Golam Zakaria and Kh. Akhter Hossain
Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering,
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka-100, Bangladesh
*Corresponding email: iqbal.shahriar@gmail.com
Abstract: Shipbuilding is considered to be a thrust sector in the economy of Bangladesh. But various problems are there to obstruct the development of this sector. This paper is aimed to identify the underlying problems and then analyze the nature of the problems to make it helpful overcoming the obstacles. A brief history and prospect of the shipbuilding industries in Bangladesh in the perspective of global scenario is also discussed.
Key Words: Problem identification, shipbuilding industry, Shipyards.
INTRODUCTION
Bangladesh is a maritime nation with 1,66,000 sq. km area of sea, abundance with living and nonliving resources1. There are more than 200 rivers all around the country, with a total length of about
22,155 km, which occupy about 11% of total area of the country. Here rivers and water transports play a vital role for economical and commercial activities in
Bangladesh. Major export and import of Bangladesh
(about 85%) is also traveled by sea2. At present more than 5,000 inland/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.
More than 1,00,000 skilled workers and 150,000 semi-skilled workers are employed in this laborintensive industry3. All inland ships are constructed and repaired in