On October 19, 2022, the Department of Oceanography at the University of Dhaka, in collaboration with the ICOG, hosted an enlightening seminar titled "Port Development and Macro Economics for Sustainable Blue Economy.
The seminar was graced with the presence of Dr. Linda Trueman from the STC Maritime and Logistics University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, who delivered the keynote address. Esteemed guests such as Professor Dr. Zillur Rahman, Dean of the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Dr. Md. Shahidul Islam, Director of the Disaster Research Training and Management Centre (DRTMC) at the University of Dhaka, enriched the occasion with their attendance. Moreover, faculty members and students from diverse disciplines were present, ensuring a multidisciplinary exchange of insights. Presiding over the seminar was Dr. K M Azam Chowdhury, who, in addition to being the Director of ICOG, also chairs the Department of Oceanography at the University of Dhaka.
The seminar provided an unparalleled learning opportunity for the attendees. Dr. Trueman, in her comprehensive presentation, traced the evolution of the historic Rotterdam Port from the 17th century. She highlighted its pivotal role in shaping trade and commerce and elucidated the nexus between advancements in oceanography and the enhanced operational capacities of port facilities. Dr. Trueman's insights into Rotterdam's transformation into a hub for Europe's petroleum reserves and its standing as a primary terminal were particularly illuminating. One of the seminar's highlights was her exposition on the successful integration of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) in port development. Detailed strategies for establishing a port fortified with a robust MSP framework were also laid out, offering practical takeaways for stakeholders.
Future trajectories of maritime commerce, trade trends, and coping mechanisms took centre stage during the latter half of the seminar. Dr. Trueman also evaluated the potential of Bangladesh's current port facilities. A forward-looking vision that encompassed ecological sustainability and a firm scientific foundation was delineated, charting a blueprint for the nation's maritime future.
Both the chief and special guests underscored the significance of Blue Economy, especially in the realms of port development and maritime trade, in their addresses. They emphasized the transformative potential such initiatives could have on Bangladesh's economic landscape.
Concluding the seminar, Dr. Chowdhury delivered a compelling speech that underscored the critical importance of port infrastructure development in Bangladesh. He articulated a vision wherein robust port development could profoundly impact the national GDP, heralding a promising future for the nation's Blue Economy.
