Ship registration in Bangladesh gives a vessel Bangladeshi nationality, the right to fly the national flag and access to cargo reserved for Bangladesh flag vessels. The Bangladesh fleet has grown quickly as local owners buy second-hand bulk carriers and tankers, encouraged by flag protection rules. Registration is governed by the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1983 and registration regulations made in 2020, administered by the Department of Shipping and its registrars.

Why register a ship in Bangladesh

Registration gives a ship nationality and legal protection under the Bangladesh flag. It is required for Bangladeshi-owned ocean-going vessels and is a condition for many commercial benefits, including cargo reservation under the flag vessel protection law and access to Bangladeshi bank financing secured by ship mortgages. Ship registration in Bangladesh also subjects the vessel to Bangladeshi safety, manning and pollution rules and to oversight by the Department of Shipping.

Our admiralty and maritime practice advises owners, buyers and lenders on registration, mortgages and maritime disputes.

Legal framework

The government has worked on modernising merchant shipping legislation, so parties should confirm whether any new statute has replaced parts of the 1983 Ordinance before relying on specific provisions for ship registration in Bangladesh.

Who can register

Eligibility is the first question in ship registration in Bangladesh. The Ordinance limits ownership of Bangladesh ships to qualified persons, essentially Bangladeshi citizens and companies or bodies incorporated in Bangladesh with their principal place of business in the country. Foreign investors can participate through Bangladeshi companies, subject to foreign investment rules. Joint ownership is possible, with shares in a ship traditionally divided into 64 parts. Owners must appoint a managing owner or manager whose details are recorded.

Registration process

1. Eligibility and planning. Confirm that the buyer qualifies and the vessel meets age, condition and other import requirements.
2. Purchase. Complete the sale, often under a Norwegian Saleform, and obtain a bill of sale and protocol of delivery.
3. Deletion. Obtain a deletion certificate from the previous flag registry, or a provisional deletion with undertakings.
4. Survey and measurement. Arrange tonnage measurement, surveys and class certificates from a recognised classification society.
5. Application. Submit the application to the Registrar of Bangladesh Ships with the required documents and fees.
6. Registration and mortgage. The registrar enters the ship in the register; any mortgage is registered at the same time.
7. Certificates. Obtain the certificate of registry and statutory certificates for safety, manning and pollution prevention.

Provisional registration may be available for ships bought abroad, allowing them to sail to Bangladesh before full registration is completed.

Documents commonly required

• Application form and declaration of ownership.
• Bill of sale and evidence of payment.
• Deletion certificate from the previous registry.
• Builder's certificate for new buildings.
• Tonnage certificate and class certificates.
• Company documents of the owner and board resolutions.
• Import permission and customs documents, where applicable.
• Proposed name approval and call sign allocation.

Ship mortgages

Financing is closely tied to ship registration in Bangladesh. Banks financing ship purchases take a registered mortgage over the vessel. Registration of the mortgage with the Registrar of Bangladesh Ships gives the mortgagee priority over later mortgages and the right to enforce, including by sale through admiralty proceedings in the High Court Division. Mortgage documentation should be drafted to comply with the Ordinance and registration regulations, with deeds of covenant, insurance assignments and earnings assignments as supporting security. Accurate mortgage registration is a key part of ship registration in Bangladesh for financed vessels.

Flag vessel protection

The Protection of Bangladesh Flag Vessels Act 2019 aims to grow the national fleet by reserving a portion of seaborne cargo for Bangladesh flag vessels and requiring waivers for foreign carriage in certain cases. Shipping agents and traders have raised concerns about costs and procedures, but the law has encouraged investment in the fleet. For owners, the Act adds commercial value to ship registration in Bangladesh, while shippers must factor the rules into their logistics planning.

Inland vessels

Ship registration in Bangladesh for inland craft follows its own regime. Bangladesh's extensive river network supports a large inland fleet of cargo ships, passenger launches and tankers. Inland vessels are registered and surveyed under inland shipping legislation, with the Department of Shipping and other authorities overseeing safety. Passenger vessel accidents have led to stricter enforcement of survey, manning and fitness requirements. Inland registration rules differ from those for ocean-going ships, so owners should follow the correct regime.

Importing second-hand ships

Most vessels entering ship registration in Bangladesh are bought second-hand abroad. Importing a ship involves import policy rules, which may set age limits for vessels, customs procedures, payment through letters of credit or other permitted banking channels, and approvals from the Department of Shipping. Buyers should check the current import policy and Department of Shipping requirements before signing a memorandum of agreement, because an ineligible vessel may be refused ship registration in Bangladesh, leaving the buyer with a costly problem.

Bareboat charter registration

Some jurisdictions allow a ship registered in one country to be temporarily registered in another under a bareboat charter, with the underlying ownership and mortgages remaining on the original register. Whether and how bareboat charter registration operates for ship registration in Bangladesh depends on the current law and Department of Shipping practice. Owners and lenders considering such structures should take specific advice, as mortgage priority and enforcement can be affected.

Crew, safety and statutory certificates

Once registered, a Bangladesh ship must comply with Bangladeshi and international requirements on safe manning, crew certification, safety equipment, pollution prevention and maritime labour standards. Bangladesh is a party to key IMO conventions, and the Department of Shipping and recognised classification societies issue or endorse statutory certificates. Port state control inspections abroad check compliance, and detentions can disrupt trade. Ship registration in Bangladesh therefore brings ongoing compliance responsibilities, not just a one-off filing.

Changes of ownership and deletion

When a Bangladesh ship is sold, the transfer must be registered, and if the buyer is not a qualified owner, the ship must be deleted from the register. Deletion requires discharge of registered mortgages or the mortgagee's consent, and settlement of any outstanding dues. Buyers from Bangladeshi sellers should insist on a clean deletion certificate before payment is released. Careful handling of these steps protects all parties when a vessel leaves ship registration in Bangladesh.

Ship recycling and end of life

Bangladesh is a major ship recycling country, with yards at Sitakunda near Chattogram. Ships arriving for recycling are subject to the Bangladesh Ship Recycling Act 2018 and environmental and safety requirements, and Bangladesh has acceded to the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships. For vessels on the Bangladesh register at the end of their lives, deletion and recycling documentation must be coordinated with the ship recycling authorities.

Practical checklist for buyers

• Confirm the vessel meets import and age requirements for ship registration in Bangladesh before signing.
• Check class records, survey status and any outstanding conditions.
• Arrange financing and mortgage documentation early with the lender.
• Agree a closing memorandum covering all registries and parties.
• Obtain provisional registration if the vessel must sail before full registration.
• Plan crew and statutory certificates for the first voyage under the new flag.

Fees, timing and common delays

Registration fees depend on tonnage and the services requested, and owners also pay for surveys, measurement and certificates. Timing for ship registration in Bangladesh depends largely on document readiness. Common delays include late deletion certificates from the previous flag, discrepancies in names or tonnage across documents, missing company resolutions, and mortgage documents that do not match the registrar's requirements. Preparing a document checklist with the registrar and lender in advance, and having originals and certified copies available, shortens the process considerably.

Disputes and ship arrest

Registered owners and mortgagees may become involved in disputes over unpaid crew wages, bunker supplies, cargo claims, collisions or mortgage defaults. The High Court Division exercises admiralty jurisdiction under the Admiralty Court Act 2000 and can order the arrest of ships in Bangladeshi waters as security for claims. Accurate records from ship registration in Bangladesh, including ownership and mortgage entries, are central to these proceedings. Our shipping and maritime practice acts in ship arrest and release matters.

Insurance requirements

Lenders and charterers require hull and machinery insurance and protection and indemnity cover from reputable insurers or P&I clubs. International conventions also require certificates for certain liabilities, such as oil pollution and wreck removal. Insurance documents should name the mortgagee where required, and assignments of insurance are usually part of the security package that accompanies ship registration in Bangladesh for financed vessels.

Choosing advisers

A smooth registration needs coordination among lawyers, the classification society, the lender and the registrar. Choose advisers experienced in ship registration in Bangladesh who can manage closings across time zones and registries.

Frequently asked questions about ship registration in bangladesh

How we can help

We advise owners, buyers, lenders and charterers on ship registration in Bangladesh: eligibility, sale and purchase, closing documents, provisional and permanent registration, mortgages, flag vessel rules and admiralty disputes. Learn more about our admiralty and maritime practice and our shipping practice.

Primary sources: the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1983, Protection of Bangladesh Flag Vessels Act 2019 and Admiralty Court Act 2000 on the Laws of Bangladesh portal; court information from the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.

This article is general information about Bangladeshi maritime law as of October 2026 and is not legal advice. Registration requirements and import rules change; confirm current requirements with the Department of Shipping or a qualified lawyer.