The Bangladesh Maritime Law Society (BMLS) organised the BMLS Maritime Colloquium 2026 and BMLS Maritime Excellence Awards 2026 at The Westin Dhaka on 8 October to mark World Maritime Day.

Themed "From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence", the event brought together lawyers, maritime professionals, industry leaders, academics and law students from 25 universities. BMLS is a member of the Comité Maritime International (CMI).

Supreme Court Judges Justice Md Zafar Ahmed and Justice Khizir Ahmed Chowdhury, East Coast Group Chairman Azam J Chowdhury and Green Delta Insurance PLC Managing Director and CEO Farzanah Chowdhury attended as special guests.

In his welcome address, BMLS President Advocate Mohiuddin Abdul Kadir (Capt MAK) stressed the need to turn maritime policy into practical action and to connect legal knowledge with operational experience.

The colloquium held four dialogues on smart ports and sustainable shipping; strategic investment, maritime labour and infrastructure; bridging regulatory gaps in shipping; and green shipping, shipbuilding and responsible recycling. Speakers also discussed maritime law, marine insurance and reinsurance, compliance, enforcement and dispute resolution.

The awards ceremony began with a video address by CMI President Ann Fenech. Speakers highlighted investment, sustainability, practical legal frameworks and cooperation across Bangladesh's maritime sector.

The BMLS Maritime Excellence Awards 2026 went to Azam J Chowdhury, Farzanah Chowdhury, Tanjima Mostafa, Tyser Group, Sajid Hussain, Mohd Mehrul Karim, Tanjil Ahmed Ruhullah, Haque & Sons Limited, Karnafuly Ship Builders Limited, PHP Ship Breaking & Recycling Industries Ltd. and MC Law Services Ltd.

BMLS Lifetime Achievement Awards were given to Captain M Zakaria, Captain MA Jalil, Ghulam M Suhrawardi and Captain Zillur Rahman Bhuiyan for their long contributions to the maritime community.

Advocate Shweata Mishra, BMLS general coordinator and head of chambers at MC Law Services Ltd., delivered the closing remarks and vote of thanks. The event was supported by the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN), with MC Law Services Ltd. as technical partner.