Bangladesh, Greece explore cooperation in ship recycling to strengthen maritime ties

The Ambassador of Bangladesh Nahida Rahman Shumona met on Friday with the Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy of Greece Stefanos Gkikas at his office. 

The meeting was attended by senior officials from Greek Navy, including an Admiral and a Commandar, reflecting Greece’s strong interest in maritime collaboration.

During the meeting, the Ambassador highlighted Bangladesh’s global leadership in environmentally sound ship recycling. She proposed enhanced cooperation between the two countries in this sector, emphasizing its importance to Bangladesh’s maritime economy and environmental sustainability efforts.

The Ambassador also sought Greece’s support for Bangladesh’s candidature in the upcoming International Maritime Organization (IMO) elections under Category C for the 2026–2027 term. Category C represents states with special interests in maritime transport and navigation, ensuring balanced geographic representation. Bangladesh has consistently demonstrated its commitment to the IMO’s mission, advocating for safe and sustainable maritime practices, promoting green ship recycling, empowering women in the maritime industry, and fostering regional cooperation.

The Deputy Minister of Shipping assured the Ambassador of Greece’s full cooperation. He also extended a personal invitation to the Ambassador to visit his constituency, the Corfu Island,  signaling a warm and constructive diplomatic relationship.

This meeting marks a significant step forward in strengthening maritime ties between Bangladesh and Greece, with promising prospects for collaboration in ship recycling and international maritime governance.