Bangladesh

About the Flag

An Islamic republic, Bangladesh is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the UN, and the IMO. It is located in southern Asia bordering the Bay of Bengal between Burma and India. The capital is Dhaka, and the official language is Bangla. The legal system is based on English common law. The President is the Chief of State, the Prime Minister is the Head of Government, and the legislature is composed of a unicameral National Parliament. Bangladesh is one of the world’s poorest, most densely populated and least developed nations. Its economy is overwhelmingly agricultural relying heavily on the cultivation of rice. Major trading partners are the United States and Western Europe. The unit of currency is the Taka.

Bangladesh has very comprehensive maritime legislation. The Bangladesh Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1983 (ordinance xxvi of 1983) (“Ordinance”) covers vessel registration and most of the maritime matters in Bangladesh. The Department of Shipping in Dhaka headed by the Director-General administers this Ordinance. The Director-General acts as the Registrar General of Bangladesh ships. The principal officer at the port of Chittagong acts as the Registrar of Bangladesh Ships and represents the Registrar General.