Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) has handed over a cheque for Tk 2.03 billion to the government, covering loan installments and dividend payments related to six ship acquisition projects implemented under the Ministry of Shipping.
The cheque was formally presented to the Chief Adviser of the interim government, according to a press release sent from BSC on Tuesday.
The amount includes installments payable under a Subsidiary Loan Agreement (SLA) for repaying loans taken to procure six vessels, along with the government’s share of dividends declared by BSC for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
The six-vessel procurement project was implemented on a government-to-government basis to acquire three product oil tankers and three bulk carriers, each with a capacity of around 39,000 deadweight tonnes. The loan agreement was signed on 14 October 2016 between the Bangladesh government, represented by the Economic Relations Division, and the Chinese government through China Exim Bank.
The principal loan amount stood at 1.2 billion yuan, equivalent to about Tk14.58 billion. To facilitate repayment, the Finance Division and BSC signed the SLA on 27 October 2024, under which BSC will repay a total of Tk 24.25 billion to the government over 13 years.
As part of the agreement, the interest accrued during the grace period amounted to Tk 475.3 million. A cheque for this amount was handed over to the Chief Adviser on 26 November 2024.
After a gap of 27 years, the six commercial vessels were added to BSC’s fleet in the 2018-19 period. Of the six ships, five are currently engaged in international commercial shipping, transporting cargo across global routes while flying the Bangladeshi flag. These vessels are MV Banglar Joyjatra, MV Banglar Arjan, MT Banglar Agrajatra, MT Banglar Agrodut and MT Banglar Agrogoti.
According to the officials of BSC, the ships have played a key role in strengthening its financial performance. In its 54-year history, the BSC recorded its highest-ever profit in the last fiscal year, earning around Tk8.0 billion in revenue and posting a net profit of Tk 3.06 billion.
Following directives from the Chief Adviser, BSC has also taken steps to further expand its fleet. Under self-financing arrangements, the corporation has procured two bulk carriers. The first, Banglar Pragati, was delivered and brought into commercial operation on 28 October 2025. The second, Banglar Nabojatra, is scheduled for delivery on 30 January 2026.
In addition, work is underway to get two MR product oil tankers with government financing and one ultra-max bulk carrier with BSC’s own funds. Plans have also been taken to procure four more large vessels, including mother vessels, from China on a G-to-G basis, as part of a broader fleet expansion strategy.
https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/stock-corporate/bsc-pays-tk-203b-to-govt-in-loan-repayment-dividends-1768323507
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