THE  ACHIEVEMENTS  OF BANGLADESHI  MARINERS  (11)

           THE  ACHIEVEMENTS  OF BANGLADESHI  MARINERS  (11)

by Mubashir Ahmed Khan (2E)   10 August 2023

      This is my 11^th article under the above heading. The best news is that Meghna Group of Bangladesh received four Mitsui design wide body bulk carriers (66,000 DWT each) from Yangzi-Mitsui Shipyard, China. The fourth vessel was handed over in a ceremony attended by about twenty guests from Bangladesh in June 2023. Shahan Shah (12E) writes in his congratulatory message of 5^th June 2023, “This is a milestone in the BD shipping sector. The new ships under BD flag will employ many Bangladeshi mariners.” Congratulations have been pouring in from many BD mariners stationed in Bangladesh and different parts of the world. Congratulations to Meghna Group on such an outstanding achievement.

     Captain Azizul Hoque (3N) is the first Extra Master of Bangladesh. He passed Extra Master Examination from UK in 1982. Captain Azizul Hoque served Bangladesh Shipping on different high posts given as under.

     First, he was Conservancy and Pilot Superintendent in BIWTA (Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority). In 1972, he joined BSC as Deputy Marine Superintendent. In 1980, he joined Bangladesh Marine Academy as Nautical Instructor. In 1982, he was promoted to become Head of the Nautical Department and in 1984, he became Deputy Commandant of BMA. In 1986, he was posted as General Manager of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation. In 1987, Captain Azizul Hoque joined the Department of Shipping as Chief Nautical Surveyor. In 1990, he became Commandant of Bangladesh Marine Academy. (For some period, he served also as Technical Director of BSC). Captain Azizul Hoque was for some time associated with International Maritime Organisation (IMO). He prepared documents on STCW 1995 Convention of IMO.

     In 2002, he was serving as Managing Director of BSC. On this post, he took tough and risky decisions converting BSC which was financially going in red, into a profitable Organisation so much so that its share price skyrocketed on Stock Exchange. In recognition of his contribution on “SAFER SHIPPING AND CLEANER OCEANS”, Captain Azizul Hoque was conferred Fellowship of the Nautical Institute, UK. It is indeed a big achievement. Last but not the least, he also served as Principal Lecturer in World Maritime University, Malmo, Sweden. The subject he taught was “Port State Control”. I think that the posts (all prestigious) Captain Azizul Hoque worked on may be close to a dozen.  

     Captain Azizul Hoque was an honest, hardworking, dedicated, highly qualified and true marine professional person. It is interesting to note that at the Academy, he was a cadet of average calibre and junior to me by one year. I remember whenever I spoke to him, his answer would be,” yes sir!”

      It is worth mentioning that in addition to his job achievements, Captain Azizul Hoque managed successfully to give higher education to his four daughters and one son. His eldest daughter Sumaiya Haq is an English language Expert. She has served in four universities including three universities in Saudi Arabia. Second daughter Sonia Haq, (PhD) is Professor of Public Administration at University of Chittagong. His third daughter Doctor Rumana Haq also holds degree of MRC (Psyc-1). Fourth and youngest daughter Subah Zerin Haq got A’s in SSC Examination and is now preparing for HSC Examination. His only son Jeesanul Haq, MD (Internal Medicine) has been selected as Chief Resident of Piedmont Hospital, Athens, Georgia. USA. Captain Azizul Hoque is presently leading a retired life in Chittagong. We pray for his good health and long life.

     Ghulam M Suhrawardy belongs to the 6^th Batch of the Academy. After passing out from the Academy in 1969, he joined NSC vessel as cadet and soon became third officer. During the war of 1971, he deserted his ship in Baltimore and was granted political asylum in USA. Mr. Ghulam attended the State University of New York Maritime College. He obtained BS and MS degrees in Marine Transportation Management from this University.

     Mr. Ghulam served in various positions in USA. He worked as Marine Surveyor, Terminal Manager, Port Captain and Operations Manager. In 1980, he started his own business in Marine Surveying with his wife by his side. He and his wife still work in the same office as they have done for all these years. They have developed it into a vibrant business encompassing many ports in the United States as well as in foreign countries. He permanently resides in New Jersey, USA and travels to Bangladesh often. Besides business operations in Bangladesh, Ghulam founded an English medium boarding school in Matlab, Chandpur. The Carter Academy named after the Nobel Laureate, US President Jimmy Carter. He intends to extend this campus to add a university and a medical college. Ghulam M Suhrawardy is the author of a comprehensive book on the Bangladesh Maritime History.

     BD mariner Mohammad Hanif Dewan is MEO Class-1 (Unlimited), M.Phil., MET Consultant and PhD Researcher. His 12-page research article titled, “Roles and challenges of seafarers for implementation of energy efficiency operational measures onboard ships” was published in the esteemed journal “Marine Policy”. This magazine holds the distinction of being one of the oldest journals. It has consistently maintained its Q1 status since its inception (1972). Three more articles written by Mohammad Hanif Dewan as part of his PhD research have been published in Scopus-indexed Journals. Well done, Mr Dewan.

     Lastly, I will mention BD mariner Md. Miron Hussain who served with me as Second Engineer onboard M V Zara (Nishan Shipping Lines, Chittagong) in 1997. His wife Mukta (real name: Mrs. Marufa Begum) was also sailing with him. He was a dedicated and truly professional engineer blessed with leadership qualities. Since 2002, he has been sailing as Chief Engineer in various foreign shipping companies. Presently he is serving with Mediterranean Shipping Company, Cyprus. Interestingly, he was offered to serve as Superintendent in the Company’s office, but he refused. In fact, he prefers to sail. He sails for four months and then stays home for approximately six months. Md. Miron Hussan has two sons, both highly educated. I am in touch with him via phone and email. I wish him and his family all the best. Md. Miron Hussain (resident of Lalmonirhat,North Bangladesh) is not from the Academy. I remember he could speak fluent Urdu.

     All BD mariners are requested to send me their comments. In my eleven articles (thirty four, A-4 pages), I have written about more than half century BD mariners. I wish to cover most of them. I shall be grateful if some BD mariners could send me details of mariners who, in their opinion, have not been mentioned in these writings. I shall be pleased if interested mariners may also kindly send me their own CV’s or brief professional profiles for my forthcoming articles.

     Mubashir Ahmed Khan (2E)                        London                          09.08.2023

     Email: [email protected]           Mobile:            44 (0) 7474706732