Bangladesh Maritime Law Society (BMLS), a member of Comité Maritime International (CMI) is organizing an International Conference.

Title: The Future of Shipping: Contemporary, Legal, Economic & Operational Issue
Date: 26th JULY 2026
Time: 03:30 pm onwards
Venue: CIRDAP International Conference Center (CICC)
Chameli House, 17 Topkhana Road, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh

Organized by: Bangladesh Maritime Law Society (BMLS)
Technical Partner: MCLaw Services Ltd.

SEMINAR: Concept Note:

The global shipping industry is currently undergoing a complete transformation, and this shift appears to be even larger than the historical move from sailing ships to steam-powered vessels. The shipping Companies are no longer just hauling goods across the water, because they must now figure out how to stop carbon pollution while simultaneously learning to operate ships from far away using computers. The actions are actively redefining the very framework of international commerce, maritime governance, and risk allocation. Shipowners, charterers, insurers, and port authorities are being forced to revisit century-old legal precedents, commercial models, and operational routines that no longer fit a world of zero-emission fuels, AI-driven navigation, and real-time regulatory compliance.

For a maritime nation like Bangladesh, this transformation carries unique weight. Bangladesh relies heavily on seaborne trade for its economic vitality since over 90% of its international trade volume and a substantial portion of its energy imports move by sea, primarily through the Chittagong and Mongla ports. These sectors are not merely ancillary; they are pillars of employment, infrastructure, and industrial raw materials. However, the coming wave of maritime change presents these pillars with a dual-edged sword: on one side, immense opportunity to advance outdated technologies, attract green shipping investments, and position Bangladesh as a responsible maritime hub; on the other, significant legal and operational risks, including non-compliance with international environmental standards, liability gaps for autonomous vessel calls, and potential exclusion from major shipping routes if local regulations fail to keep pace.

This International Conference, organized by the Bangladesh Maritime Law Society (BMLS) with technical partnership from MCLaw Services Ltd., seeks to bridge that critical gap between global maritime evolution and local preparedness. By gathering international and local experts including maritime lawyers, P&I Club representatives, port authority officials, shipbreaking stakeholders, shipowners, shippers, cargo owners and academic researchers in Dhaka, this seminar aims to decode the complexities of perils of sea.