Bangladesh Maritime Law Society (BMLS)
Bangladesh Maritime Law Society (BMLS), an organization dedicated to the advancement of maritime law and the promotion of sustainable practices within the maritime industry in Bangladesh. Under the leadership of President Mr. Mohiuddin Abdul Kadir and Coordinator Ms. Shweata Mishra, BMLS has made significant strides in enhancing maritime law practices and providing critical support to the maritime industry.
To disseminate knowledge and establish a professional platform for community benefit, the society organized multiple seminars and a workshop over the year aimed at enhancing the expertise and skills of legal professionals in the maritime sector. These sessions addressed topics such as the protection of Bangladeshi ship owners, maritime law and practice, marine insurance claims, and the coverage provided by insurers, as well as the protection of the blue economy. The programs offered practical insights and promoted professional development. They brought together legal experts, policymakers, industry professionals, and academics to discuss emerging issues and trends in maritime law.
In 2024, the society continued its mission with a seminar titled “Preventing Fraud in Maritime Trade and Commerce” on 12 May at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka, Bangladesh. The seminar was honoured by the presence of Honourable Minister of State from the Ministry of Shipping, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Special guests Rear Admiral A.S.M.A. Awal (Retd), ndc, psc, and Mr. Azam J. Chowdhury, further enriched the event with their invaluable insights and experiences. The event highlighted practical strategies to address documentary fraud in maritime trade, with insightful keynote addresses from Mr. Mohiuddin Abdul Kadir and Mr. Nesarul Hoque. The seminar facilitated valuable discussions, underscoring the importance of collaborative approaches in combating fraud in maritime commerce. Many students and professionals from various sections and stakeholders of the industry attended the seminar. A scholarly discussion took place, with several questions and answers at the end of the seminar. That being said, the seminar was a catalyst to pave the way to eliminating maritime fraud and envisage the vested responsibility of the concerned personnel.
In addition, throughout the year 2023 and into 2024, the society accomplished several seminars and workshops. The first seminar was conducted with the title “Protection of Bangladeshi Ship Owners in the Global Maritime Environment” on 6 March 2023 at CIRDAP, Dhaka. On May 27, the first workshop of the year was held with the title “Introduction to Maritime Law and Practice” in collaboration with the Department of Law of Independent University Bangladesh (IUB) at the IUB campus premises. With the title “Understanding the Complexities of Marine Insurance Claims and the Cover Provided by Insurers,” the society organized the second seminar of the year at Chattogram, sponsored by Tysers, West of England, and MCO-Marine Claim Office. By organizing a seminar titled “The Role of Legislature and Judiciary in Protecting the Blue Economy” on 31 August at CIRDAP, Dhaka, in collaboration with the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network, Bangladesh (MACN), the society concluded its activities for the year.
Bangladesh Maritime Law Society (BMLS) is actively working to strengthen Bangladesh’s maritime legal framework and position the country as a key player in the global maritime industry. BMLS organizes seminars and workshops to address contemporary issues within the industry, promoting knowledge dissemination, legal research, and professional development among maritime law practitioners. This has led to increased awareness and adoption of international maritime standards, enhancing the legal framework governing Bangladesh’s maritime sector. BMLS’s initiatives emphasize its commitment to sustainable development within the maritime industry, promoting legal frameworks that support a blue economy, ensuring environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially equitable maritime activities. BMLS engages with stakeholders to develop policies and practices that contribute to a sustainable future. The Bangladesh Maritime Law Society remains committed to advancing maritime law and supporting the maritime industry in Bangladesh, fostering a community of legal experts and industry professionals dedicated to sustainable development of maritime activities.