Department of Shipping

What Department of Shipping does

The Department of Shipping (নৌপরিবহন অধিদপ্তর) is the statutory maritime regulatory authority of the Government of Bangladesh, operating under the Ministry of Shipping since its establishment in 1976. Headquartered in Dhaka, the Department is responsible for maritime safety oversight, vessel registration, seafarer certification under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW), and recognition/inspection of maritime training institutes across the country. It serves as the central coordination node between Bangladesh's port authorities (Chittagong Port Authority, Mongla Port Authority, BIWTA, BIWTC), classification societies, and the national seafarer workforce, with the Director General — currently Commodore Md. Shafiul Bari (ND) — leading its operations.

The Department operates a portfolio of e-government portals for certificate verification, seafarer registration, inland ship registration, internal ERP, and training institute management, all delivered through standard web infrastructure (erp.dos.gov.bd, shipinland.dos.gov.bd, and related subdomains). It also acts as the Designated Authority for port-facility security under the ISPS Code and ReCAAP reporting, and has delegated that function to Inceptusan Consultants Ltd. The Department holds bilateral recognition arrangements with approximately 33 foreign maritime administrations (including Singapore, UK, India, Japan, and Australia), enabling international portability of Bangladesh-issued seafarer credentials and supporting Bangladesh's position as a major seafarer-supplying nation. Its core mandate is regulatory rather than commercial, and it is currently campaigning for election to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council in 2025.

As a government department, it does not generate commercial revenue; its operating budget is drawn from the Government of Bangladesh's national fiscal allocation, with fees from certificate issuance and vessel registration flowing back into state accounts rather than being treated as commercial ARR. The workforce is sized at 251–500 employees, and its strategic posture is dominated by regulatory compliance, international maritime diplomacy, and incremental digitization of legacy administrative processes rather than product or market expansion in a commercial sense.

Name

Department of Shipping

Legal name

নৌপরিবহন অধিদপ্তর

Website

https://dos.gov.bd

Company type

Public

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Department of Shipping is the Government of Bangladesh's statutory maritime regulatory authority, headquartered in Dhaka and operating under the Ministry of Shipping since 1976. It oversees vessel registration, seafarer certification under STCW, training institute recognition, and port-facility security compliance, serving shipping companies, seafarers, and maritime training institutes nationally and across 33 partner-flag administrations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Regulatory Services

NAICS

Port and Harbor Operations (488310), Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (926150), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTLAHANAD

Ship & Port Security Audits, Inspections & Certification (Flag/Class/PSC Support)

Transportation & Logistics/Ports, Terminals & Maritime Services/Maritime Security, Safety & Compliance Services (ISPS, Inspections, Vetting)

SECONDARYTLAHANAF

Maritime Safety Management Systems & Training (ISM/ISO 45001, Drills, Competency)

Transportation & Logistics/Ports, Terminals & Maritime Services/Maritime Security, Safety & Compliance Services (ISPS, Inspections, Vetting)

SECONDARYTLAHANAL

Regulatory & Sanctions Compliance Screening for Maritime Operations (Trade Controls, AML)

Transportation & Logistics/Ports, Terminals & Maritime Services/Maritime Security, Safety & Compliance Services (ISPS, Inspections, Vetting)

SECONDARYTLAHANAH

Hazardous Materials (IMDG) & Dangerous Goods Compliance Services

Transportation & Logistics/Ports, Terminals & Maritime Services/Maritime Security, Safety & Compliance Services (ISPS, Inspections, Vetting)

SECONDARYBPAIALAF

Maritime & Port Authorities (Public Ports, Harbors, Ferries Terminals)

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Transportation & Infrastructure Agencies (Roads, Transit, Public Works)

Keywords

• Maritime regulation
• Seafarer certification
• Vessel registration
• Maritime safety
• Shipping administration

Headquarters

HQ city

Dhaka

HQ country

Bangladesh

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Department of Shipping is the Bangladesh government directorate responsible for maritime administration, including vessel survey and registration, seafarer competency certification (COC, COP, CDC), maritime cadet and rating admission management, approval and monitoring of maritime training institutions, and implementation of IMO conventions (STCW, IMDG, IMSBC, ISPS, MARPOL). It operates online e-government portals for certificate applications, inland vessel registration, certificate verification, and training institute management, while exercising statutory oversight of classification societies and VGM certification in Bangladesh.

Product overview

The Department of Shipping operates a comprehensive e-government service portfolio for Bangladesh's maritime sector. The core offerings include online portals for maritime certificate applications (erp.dos.gov.bd), inland vessel registration (shipinland.dos.gov.bd), and certificate verification (verification.dos.gov.bd). These are complemented by maritime training management systems covering cadet and rating admissions through dedicated portals. Internal administrative functions are supported by HR management and document archive systems. The Department also maintains regulatory oversight services for seafarer recruitment agencies, vessel classification through approved societies, and STCW convention implementation with international certificate recognition agreements. The architecture follows a platform model with separate dedicated portals for different stakeholder categories (seafarers, training institutions, vessel operators, and internal staff).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Maritime Certificate Online Application System (ERP) Online platform for applying and processing maritime certificates including Certificate of Competency (COC), Certificate of Proficiency (COP), Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC), and endorsements for seafarers. Used by individual seafarers and maritime professionals seeking STCW-compliant certification.
• Inland Vessel Online Application System Online portal for applying for inland vessel survey and registration certificates under the Department of Shipping. Used by inland vessel owners and operators in Bangladesh.
• Inland Qualification Certificate System Online system for issuing inland qualification certificates for inland vessel crew members. Used by inland waterway crew seeking certification.
• Maritime Training Institute Management System ERP backend system for managing maritime training institutes, cadet admissions, and training records. Used by approved maritime training institutions in Bangladesh.
• Marine Cadet Admission Online System Online portal for pre-sea cadet enrollment and admission applications. Used by individuals applying for merchant navy officer training at approved maritime academies.
• Sailor (Rating) Admission Online System Online portal for pre-sea sailor (rating) enrollment and admission applications. Used by individuals applying for rating positions in the merchant navy.
• Certificate Verification System Online verification portal for validating Certificate of Competency (COC), Certificate of Proficiency (COP), Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC), and inland qualification certificates. Used by employers, foreign maritime authorities, and verification entities.
• Seafarer Recruitment Agency Management Licensing and management system for approved seafarer recruitment agents (MLAs) operating under the Department of Shipping. Used by licensed manning agencies in Bangladesh.
• Vessel Survey and Classification Services Oversight services for vessel survey, registration, and classification through approved classification societies (Recognized Organizations). Used by shipowners, operators, and classification societies.
• Approved Maritime Training Institutions Management Approval and monitoring system for government and private maritime training academies and institutes. Used by maritime education providers seeking DoS recognition.
• STCW Convention Implementation Implementation and monitoring of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), including Certificate of Competency recognition agreements with 33 countries including Singapore, UK, India, Japan, and Australia. Used by Bangladeshi seafarers seeking international employment and by foreign maritime authorities.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Chittagong Port Authority (CPA)coreOthersThe DoS maintains a collaborative relationship with Chittagong Port Authority for maritime coordination, vessel operations, and port-related regulatory matters.
• Mongla Port Authority (MPA)coreOthersThe DoS maintains collaborative ties with Mongla Port Authority for maritime regulation and port coordination in the Mongla port area.
• Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA)coreOthersThe DoS collaborates with BIWTA on inland waterway regulation and oversight of Bangladesh's internal navigation systems.
• Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC)coreOthersThe DoS works with BIWTC for inland water transport operations and regulatory compliance coordination.
• Seafarers and Migrant Workers Welfare Department (DSW)coreOthersThe DoS partners with the Seafarers and Migrant Workers Welfare Department for the welfare and protection of Bangladeshi seafarers.
• National Maritime Institute (NMI)coreOthersNMI is a government maritime training institute operating under the oversight of the DoS for professional maritime education.
• Bangladesh Marine AcademycoreOthersBangladesh Marine Academy is a premier government institution under the DoS responsible for training merchant navy officers and seafarers.
• Naval Commerce Office (Navy)coreOthersSubordinate office of the DoS handling naval commerce matters and maritime administration functions.
• Government Maritime Office (GSO)coreOthersSubordinate office of the DoS handling government maritime transport and shipping operations.
• Maritime Training Institute ERP SystemcoreTechnology or IntegrationThe DoS operates an ERP system (erp.dos.gov.bd) for managing maritime training institutes, certificate issuance, and institutional administration.

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Vietnam Maritime Administration (VINAMARINE): Vietnam's national maritime regulatory authority responsible for seafarer certification, vessel registration, and IMO compliance. Comparable as an Asian developing-country maritime administrator with similar scope and digital portal delivery.
• Pakistan Maritime Affairs Division / Mercantile Marine Department: Pakistan's government maritime regulatory body handling seafarer certification and vessel registration. Closely comparable as a South Asian national maritime administration with similar STCW implementation responsibilities.
• Sri Lanka Mercantile Marine Department: Sri Lanka's national maritime regulatory body for seafarer certification, vessel surveys, and registration. Highly comparable as a regional South Asian maritime administration with similar scope and seafarer-supplier profile.
• Maritime and Coastguard Agency (UK MCA): UK government agency responsible for maritime safety, seafarer certification, and shipping regulation. Comparable as a sovereign maritime regulator with STCW authority and a recognized international certificate portfolio.
• Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA, Philippines): Philippines' national maritime regulatory agency handling seafarer certification, training institution oversight, and STCW implementation. Closely comparable given the Philippines' and Bangladesh's parallel positions as major seafarer-supplying countries.
• Directorate General of Shipping (India): India's national maritime regulatory authority responsible for seafarer certification, vessel registration, and IMO convention implementation. Closely comparable as a South Asian government maritime administration with similar scope and an overlapping seafarer training ecosystem.
• Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA): Singapore's government maritime regulatory authority overseeing vessel registration, seafarer certification, and port safety. Highly comparable as a national maritime administrator, although operating at significantly greater scale and sophistication.

Others

• International Maritime Organization (IMO): United Nations specialized agency setting global maritime safety, security, and environmental standards. Indirectly comparable as the international body whose conventions (STCW, IMDG, ISPS, MARPOL) the Department of Shipping implements domestically.

Broad incumbents

• United States Maritime Administration (MARAD): U.S. federal agency promoting the U.S. maritime industry, vessel and seafarer policy, and federal maritime programs. Comparable as a government maritime authority, though primarily policy-oriented rather than a direct certification issuer.
• China Maritime Safety Administration (MSA): China's national maritime regulator handling vessel inspection, seafarer oversight, and maritime safety enforcement. A larger incumbent operating the same regulatory functions across a much bigger maritime fleet and seafarer base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/departmentofshipping
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/department-of-shipping-bd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Department of Shipping