BMLS hosts maritime dialogues, honours sector leaders
The Bangladesh Maritime Law Society (BMLS) brought together legal and industry professionals in Dhaka to discuss maritime policy, sustainable shipping, regulatory challenges, and the sector's recognised contributions.
The BMLS Maritime Colloquium 2026 and BMLS Maritime Excellence Awards 2026 were held at The Westin Dhaka under the theme "From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence", according to the press release.
Lawyers, maritime professionals, industry leaders, academics, and law students from 25 universities attended the event.
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Special guests included Justice Md Zafar Ahmed and Justice Khizir Ahmed Chowdhury, judges of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh; Azam J Chowdhury, founder and chairman of East Coast Group; and Farzanah Chowdhury, managing director and CEO of Green Delta Insurance PLC.
Advocate Mohiuddin Abdul Kadir, also known as Captain MAK, president of BMLS, and Advocate Shweata Mishra, head of chambers at MC Law Services Ltd and general coordinator of BMLS, hosted the awards ceremony.
Other guests included Tanjima Mostafa, director of Meghna Group of Industries; SM Moinul Islam, country head of Tyser Group; and Syed Iqbal Ali Shimul, CEO and managing director of Transmarine Logistics Limited, MGH Group.
Mohammed Zahirul Islam, managing director of PHP Ship Breaking & Recycling Industries Ltd, and Nazir Alam, chairman of London-based 1CS Holdings Limited, also attended.
Four maritime dialogues focused on smart ports and sustainable shipping; strategic investment, maritime labour and infrastructure; bridging regulatory gaps in shipping; and green shipping, shipbuilding and responsible recycling.
Discussions also covered maritime law, marine insurance and reinsurance, compliance, enforcement and dispute resolution.
In his welcome address, Mohiuddin Abdul Kadir stressed the importance of translating maritime policy into practical action and connecting legal knowledge with operational experience.
The awards ceremony opened with a video address by Ann Fenech, president of the Comité Maritime International (CMI), followed by speeches from the BMLS president and special guests.
Their remarks highlighted investment, sustainability, practical legal frameworks and cooperation across Bangladesh's maritime sector.
The BMLS Maritime Excellence Awards recognised individuals and organisations for leadership, professional excellence and contributions to the sector.
Recipients included Azam J Chowdhury, Farzanah Chowdhury, Tanjima Mostafa, Dr Sajid Hussain, Mohd Mehrul Karim and Tanjil Ahmed Ruhullah.
Tyser Group, represented by SM Moinul Islam, also received an award, alongside Haque & Sons Limited, Karnafuly Ship Builders Limited, PHP Ship Breaking & Recycling Industries Ltd and MC Law Services Ltd.
BMLS Lifetime Achievement Awards honoured Captain M Zakaria, Captain MA Jalil, Ghulam M Suhrawardi and Captain Zillur Rahman Bhuiyan for their longstanding contributions to the maritime community.
Shweata Mishra delivered the closing remarks and vote of thanks.
The Maritime Anti-Corruption Network supported the event, with MC Law Services Ltd serving as the technical partner.
BMLS is a specialist legal organisation dedicated to research, legal education and professional development in shipping, admiralty, marine insurance and maritime trade law.
A member of CMI and its official representative in Bangladesh, the society promotes cooperation across the maritime community.
