Bangladesh Institute of Maritime Research and Development-BIMRAD

The Bangladesh Institute of Maritime Research and Development (BIMRAD) successfully hosted an international webinar titled “Earth Day 2026: Protecting Ocean Health for a Sustainable Maritime Future” on 23 April 2026. The event brought together distinguished scholars, researchers, and maritime professionals from home and abroad to discuss pressing challenges and innovative solutions for safeguarding ocean ecosystems.

The webinar commenced with a welcome address by Afifat Khanam Ritika, Research Fellow at BIMRAD, who highlighted the significance of Earth Day 2026 in reinforcing global commitment toward environmental sustainability. She emphasized the critical role of oceans in regulating climate, supporting biodiversity, and sustaining livelihoods, particularly within maritime economies.
The speaker session featured a series of insightful presentations covering diverse yet interconnected themes. Dr. K M Azam Chowdhury, Associate Professor and Former Chairman, Department of Oceanography, University of Dhaka, discussed ocean circulation and pollution dispersion, stressing the need for science-based approaches to mitigate marine contamination. Dr. Velumani Thangavel, Project Scientist, NCCR Project, Bay of Bengal Programme, India, explored the principles of effective fisheries management, underscoring sustainability as a cornerstone for long-term resource utilization. Dr. Aneela Khan, Research Fellow, National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA), Pakistan, addressed the importance of green shipping and decarbonization in maritime transport, presenting it as a key pathway toward sustainable marine development.

Further enriching the discussion, Md. Nayeem Hossain, Lecturer, Department of Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture, Bangladesh Maritime University, highlighted integrated coastal fisheries research, linking genetic insights to practical applications for ocean health. Sheikh Fahim Faysal Sowrav, Lecturer, Department of Oceanography and Hydrography, Bangladesh Maritime University, introduced the concept of Digital Twin Ocean (DTO) technology, emphasizing its potential in enhancing coastal resilience in Bangladesh. Srijon Paul, Lecturer, Department of General Education, Southern University Bangladesh, concluded the session with a compelling presentation on blue carbon, illustrating its value as a natural resource in combating climate change.

An interactive session allowed participants to engage with the speakers, fostering meaningful dialogue and knowledge exchange. The program concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Commodore Syed Misbah Uddin Ahmad (retd), Director General of BIMRAD, who reiterated the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing global maritime challenges. He also emphasized the need for sustainable stewardship of ocean resources, highlighting the role of research, innovation, and collective responsibility in ensuring a resilient maritime future for coming generations.

The webinar served as a timely platform to promote awareness, strengthen capacity, and encourage actionable strategies aimed at protecting ocean health. It reaffirmed BIMRAD’s commitment to advancing sustainable maritime development through research, dialogue, and international cooperation.

On 22 April 2026, a delegation from Leave a Nest Co., Ltd., Japan, visited the Bangladesh Institute of Maritime Research and Development (BIMRAD) and held a courtesy meeting with BIMRAD officers to explore potential avenues for collaboration in maritime research and innovation.

The delegation consisted of Ms. Farhana Shikder Lamia from Leave a Nest Co., Ltd., Japan; Dr. Arief Izzairy Bin Zamani from Leave a Nest Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia; and Mr. MD Anik Mir from Leave a Nest Capital Co., Ltd., Japan.

The meeting was arranged as a follow-up to a prior online introductory session, which focused on identifying common areas of interest between the two organizations. During the meeting, Ms. Farhana Shikder Lamia delivered a presentation on Leave a Nest’s unique “knowledge manufacturing” model, which integrates researchers, industry, and society to address complex global challenges through science and technology. Both sides discussed possible areas of collaboration, including joint research, capacity building, and international knowledge exchange. The meeting concluded with a positive outlook for future cooperation.

BIMRAD expressed its appreciation to the visiting delegation and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening international partnerships to advance sustainable maritime development in Bangladesh.

International Webinar on Earth Day 2026: Protecting Ocean Health for a Sustainable Maritime Future
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Date: 23 April 2026 (Thursday), Time: 1100-1230 (GMT+6)
Platform: Zoom Meeting

Meeting Details: https://bimradbd.org/event-details/international-webinar-on-earth-day-2026-protecting-ocean-health-for-a-sustainable-maritime-future

The Bangladesh Institute of Maritime Research and Development (BIMRAD), in collaboration with the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) at the University of Wollongong, Australia, participated as the Overseas Counterpart Organization (OCO) for Bangladesh in the prestigious “Australia Awards Fellowship 2026” on “Enabling a Sustainable Blue Economy in the Bay of Bengal”, funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

As the designated OCO representing Bangladesh, BIMRAD was responsible for coordinating national participation and selecting five maritime professionals from across the country to take part in this highly competitive regional fellowship program aimed at strengthening leadership, knowledge, and regional cooperation in the Blue Economy across the Bay of Bengal.

Among the selected fellows were Afifat Khanam Ritika, Research Fellow at BIMRAD, and Shahriar Khosnoor Prince, Research Officer at BIMRAD, along with other maritime professionals represented diverse sectors connected to ocean governance and marine resource management.

The fellowship commenced in February 2026 with a four-week academic and professional program in Australia delivered by ANCORS. The program introduced fellows to the origins, evolution, and policy foundations of the Blue Economy, while strengthening their understanding of global ocean governance frameworks, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and its application in sustainable maritime resource management.

Participants also explored sector-specific approaches within the Blue Economy, including fisheries, shipping, marine renewable energy, and coastal tourism. The fellowship emphasized the concept of Integrated Ocean Management (IOM), which promotes collaborative governance across sectors to balance environmental sustainability, economic development, and social well-being.

As part of the program, fellows undertook field visits to several key maritime and policy centers in Australia, including Sydney, Wollongong, Canberra, and Hobart in Tasmania. These visits provided first-hand exposure to Australia’s Blue Economy initiatives in areas such as ports, aquaculture, fisheries management, maritime security, and ocean energy.

Following the Australian phase of the fellowship, participants returned to their home countries to develop individual research projects that identify practical opportunities for regional cooperation in the Blue Economy of the Bay of Bengal. These projects are being developed in coordination with experts from ANCORS.

As part of the continuing fellowship activities, fellows will reconvene in October 2026 through regional engagements in Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka, where they will share their research outcomes and contribute to workshops designed to strengthen collaboration among policymakers, researchers, and maritime stakeholders across the region.

Through its role as the Overseas Counterpart Organization, BIMRAD continues to advance Bangladesh’s participation in regional maritime knowledge exchange and capacity building, contributing to the long-term goal of fostering a sustainable and collaborative Blue Economy in the Bay of Bengal.

BIMRAD expresses its sincere congratulations to ANCORS, the University of Wollongong, and DFAT for the successful completion of the first phase of the Enabling a Sustainable Blue Economy in the Bay of Bengal Australia Awards Fellowship. BIMRAD deeply appreciates the trust placed in the institute as the OCO representing Bangladesh and remains committed to strengthening this valued partnership.

The Bangladesh Institute of Maritime Research and Development (BIMRAD) participated in the Regional Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) Training Workshop held from 23 to 27 March 2026 at the Regional Centre for Maritime Studies (RCMS), General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka. The training workshop was organized by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), United Kingdom, with support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

The five-day regional training program brought together participants (16) from Bangladesh (04), Maldives (06), and Sri Lanka (06) with the aim of strengthening technical capacity and regional collaboration in marine spatial planning (MSP) for sustainable ocean governance. The workshop focused on enhancing participants’ understanding of ecosystem-based MSP approaches, facilitating balanced use of marine resources, and reducing sectoral conflicts in marine areas.

Representing BIMRAD, Ms. Tuly Akter took part in the training, contributing to discussions on the application of MSP in the context of the Bay of Bengal. The workshop covered key thematic areas including MSP principles and frameworks, marine zoning, spatial data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and decision-making processes in marine planning.

A key highlight of the training was the MSP Challenge Simulation Exercise, which provided participants with hands-on experience in Marine Spatial Planning through interactive, scenario-based decision-making. Through this interactive exercise, participants engaged in multi-sectoral decision-making, conflict resolution, and collaborative planning, reflecting real-world complexities of ocean governance.

The training also included knowledge-sharing sessions and collaborative group work, allowing participants to exchange experiences and best practices from their respective countries. These interactions fostered a deeper understanding of regional challenges and opportunities in advancing MSP initiatives.

Through participation in this workshop, BIMRAD aims to strengthen its institutional capacity in marine spatial planning and contribute to evidence-based policy development in Bangladesh. The knowledge and skills acquired from the training will support BIMRAD’s ongoing efforts in promoting sustainable ocean governance and advancing the blue economy in the Bay of Bengal.

BIMRAD expresses its sincere appreciation to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and the UK FCDO for organizing and supporting such important regional initiative. The institute looks forward to continued collaboration with MMO in future research, training, and capacity-building activities related to marine spatial planning.

On 25 February 2026, the Bangladesh Institute of Maritime Research and Development (BIMRAD) held an online introductory meeting with Leave a Nest Co., Ltd., Japan, to explore potential collaboration in maritime research, innovation, and capacity development. The session was arranged as a formal institutional exchange aimed at identifying common areas of interest between the two organizations, particularly in marine science, blue economy development, startup incubation, and international research partnerships.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Director General of BIMRAD extended a warm welcome to the representatives of Leave a Nest Co., Ltd., Japan, and highlighted BIMRAD’s role as a national maritime think tank committed to advancing cutting-edge research in maritime science, technology, marine environment, climate change, and blue economy sectors. The DG emphasized BIMRAD’s ongoing national and international research collaborations and reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to strengthening global partnerships.

From the Japanese side, Ms. Lamia Farhana Shikder of Leave a Nest Co., Ltd., provided a detailed presentation on the organization’s unique “knowledge manufacturing” model, which integrates researchers, industry leaders, startups, and society to address complex global challenges through science and technology. She introduced Leave a Nest’s structured industry–academia collaboration framework, science-based startup incubation programs, global research networking initiatives, and education platforms designed to nurture the next generation of innovators. On the BIMRAD side, Ms. Tuly Akter, Research Officer, delivered a presentation outlining the institute’s vision, mission, core research areas, international and national partnerships, and ongoing initiatives.

Dr. Yuko Ueno, Director of the Group Development Department and General Manager of Leave a Nest Co., Ltd., also joined the discussion and shared insights into the company’s international partnership strategies and long-term vision for expanding collaborative research ecosystems across Asia.

The meeting concluded with a positive exchange of ideas on possible joint research initiatives, startup support in the marine sector, capacity building, and international knowledge exchange. Both sides agreed to further review the discussion points and work toward developing a structured collaboration framework in the near future.

DG BIMRAD participated as an invited speaker at the International Ocean Governance Symposium 2026, held on 4 February 2026 at the Maldives National University (MNU), Malé, Maldives.

At the symposium, the DG delivered a keynote lecture titled “Between Waves and World Orders: Ocean Governance for Island and Delta Nations in an Age of Strategic Rupture, From Ibn Battuta to Big Data—Why Ocean Security Will Decide Their Future.” The lecture examined the historical evolution and contemporary challenges of ocean governance, emphasizing the strategic importance of maritime security, technological transformation, and the sustainable management of marine resources for island and delta nations in a rapidly changing global order.

He also presented BIMRAD’s vision, objectives, and ongoing research and advocacy initiatives on maritime governance and ocean security, underscoring the institution’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking and regional cooperation.
During the visit, the DG held courtesy meetings with officials of the Bangladesh High Commission in the Maldives, the Honorable State Minister of the Maldives, the Vice-Chancellor of the Maldives National University, and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, MNU. These engagements focused on strengthening academic exchange, joint research initiatives, and institutional collaboration in maritime and ocean governance.

The visit marked a significant milestone for BIMRAD in expanding its international academic network and fostering long-term research partnerships, reinforcing Bangladesh’s growing role in promoting sustainable and inclusive ocean governance.

Invitation for Write-up Submission
P**L Magazine
Volume 9, Issue 1, 2026
Theme: Maritime Data, AI and Decision Superiority at Sea
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Submit Your Write-up To:
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: +8801769702393 (WhatsApp)
Submission Deadline: 10 March 2026
Website: https://bimradbd.org/news/notices

On 29 January 2026, the Bangladesh Institute of Maritime Research and Development (BIMRAD) organized 'Research Dissemination Seminar 2026 at the BIMRAD Seminar Hall in Dhaka. The program brought together researchers, academics, maritime experts, policymakers, and relevant stakeholders. In the program, three research findings were presented by BIMRAD’s in-house researchers, which have direct relevance to Bangladesh’s national interests.

Shahriar Khosnoor Prince, Research Officer at BIMRAD, presented his research title, “Decoding Coastal resilience along Cox’s Bazar–Teknaf Marine Drive: An Analysis of Shoreline Transformations and Community Responses.” The study share a long-term analysis of shoreline transformation in Cox’s Bazar from 1990 to 2024. His research showed that coastal shoreline transformation now threatens tourism infrastructure worth more than USD 3 billion. Afifat Khanam Ritika, Research Fellow at BIMRAD, in her research on “Evaluating Fisheries Productivity as a Function of Major Water Quality Parameters in the Northern Bay of Bengal” questioned global claims about the Bay of Bengal being a “Dead Zone.” Her study found that declining fish production is mainly caused by overfishing rather than climate change. This finding has important implications for artisanal fisheries and marine policy too. Badirujjaman, Research Officer at BIMRAD, presented a study titled “Prospects of Maritime Cooperation in the Bangladesh–Japan Strategic Partnership.” The research examined opportunities for cooperation within a regional strategic framework and within the bilateral strategic partnership between Bangladesh and Japan. It focused on maritime interests and stability in the Bay of Bengal and beyond for both countries.

Professor Dr M A Wahab, of Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture at Bangladesh Maritime University and Associate Professor Dr K M Azam Chowdhury of the Dept of Oceanography at the University of Dhaka, moderated the seminar.

The seminar ended with remarks by Commodore Syed Misbah Uddin Ahmad (Retd), Director General of BIMRAD. He called for unity among scholars and practitioners. He urged them to share knowledge to facilitate Bangladesh’s epistemological progress and sustain national development. He stressed that research must support real policy action.

The seminar emphasized the need to transform research into practical policy. It highlighted the importance of protecting Bangladesh’s maritime interests and national sovereignty in the years ahead.