Bangladesh Exports 5,500 DWT Multipurpose Vessel “Wes Wear” to Turkey

Ananda Shipyard and Slipways Limited, located at Meghna Ghat in Sonargaon, Narayanganj, Bangladesh, is set to export the state-of-the-art 5,500 Deadweight Tonnage (DWT) multipurpose vessel “Wes Wear” to Turkey. The vessel will be officially handed over to Turkey’s renowned Nopac Shipping and Trading Limited on Sunday (September 7, 2025).

The handover ceremony will be attended by Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. M Sakhawat Hossain, Adviser to the Ministry of Shipping and the Ministry of Labour and Employment, along with Adilur Rahman Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Industries and the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, and Turkey’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Ramis Sen. According to Ananda Shipyard, Bangladesh’s largest ship exporter, the “Wes Wear” is built with advanced design and international-standard technology. The vessel measures 341 feet in length, 55 feet in width, and 25 feet in depth, powered by a 2,735-horsepower engine. Capable of carrying 5,500 tons of cargo at a speed of 12 knots per hour, it is suitable for transporting various goods, including steel coils, coal, fertilizers, food grains, and chemicals. Previously, in September 2022, Ananda Shipyard exported a 6,100 DWT vessel to the UK-based Enzian Shipping Company Limited, which was one of the largest ships exported from Bangladesh at the time. Industry experts note that a self-sufficient shipbuilding industry could enable Bangladesh to earn $2 billion annually by exporting fish caught in deep-sea waters. Additionally, establishing chemical plants in deep-sea areas to process marine plants and seaweed could supply raw materials for pharmaceutical industries, reducing the need for imports and saving foreign currency.[](https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/ananda-shipyard-exports-largest-ship-bangladesh-signalling-industry-revival-495334) Ananda Shipyard officials stated that the company has been a pioneer in Bangladesh’s shipbuilding industry, having delivered over 350 vessels to both domestic and international clients. In 2008, it made history by exporting the container vessel “Stella Maris” to Denmark, marking Bangladesh’s entry into the global ocean-going ship export market. Since then, the shipyard has exported vessels to Germany, Norway, Mozambique, the UK, and other countries.[](https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/ananda-shipyard-exports-largest-ship-bangladesh-signalling-industry-revival-495334) Dr. Nazma Nawroz, Technical Director of Ananda Shipyard, confirmed that the construction of “Wes Wear” has been completed, with all machinery tests and sea trials successfully conducted. She emphasized that supporting the shipbuilding industry with incentives is not only a demand of the time but also essential for Bangladesh’s participation in multiple export sectors. She added that shipbuilding is a critical component of the blue economy, and its development is vital for the sector’s growth. Spanning 900,000 square feet, Ananda Shipyard has the capacity to build eight vessels up to 10,000 tons simultaneously, including dredgers and technologically advanced ships. The shipyard has set a significant benchmark in Bangladesh’s shipbuilding industry through its continuous operations.

Abdullahel Bari, Chairman of Ananda Shipyard, noted that the company resumed ship exports in 2022 after a hiatus. The vessel being exported to Turkey is among the largest and most technologically advanced ships exported by Bangladesh to date. He highlighted that, per international norms, about 85% of a ship’s financing comes through bank guarantees, but the remaining 15%—equivalent to BDT 25-30 crore ($2.5-3 million)—must be arranged from the company’s own funds. Securing such large amounts is challenging as banks are often reluctant to provide support, leading to delays due to tied-up working capital. He stressed that despite the immense potential of Bangladesh’s shipbuilding industry, the lack of long-term, low-interest financing hinders its progress.