Dhaka: One of the two newly purchased bulk carriers of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) has begun its maiden commercial voyage on October 27, marking a major step in expanding the state-owned company’s fleet to six vessels after seven years.

BSC officially received the 199-metre-long MV Banglar Progoti from US-based Hellenic Dry Bulk Ventures LLC in London earlier this week and took physical delivery at China’s Nanyang Shipyard on October 23. The vessel, with a 63,500-deadweight-ton capacity, was chartered to Hong Kong-based LTE Shipping at a daily rate of USD 20,000 for an initial three-month period.

The ship departed from Jingjiang International Jetty in China, heading to Zhoushan for bunkering before proceeding to its loading port, according to BSC Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek.

The purchase of MV Banglar Progoti and its sister ship, MV Banglar Nobojatra, followed an international tender floated in June 2025. After evaluation, BSC approved Hellenic Dry Bulk Ventures’ proposal to supply the two vessels for USD 76.69 million (BDT 936 crore) — about 4.6 percent below the estimated cost.

This is the first time BSC has financed ship acquisitions entirely with its own funds. The company opted for vessels that were already under construction to expedite delivery. Malek said the second ship, currently 75 percent complete, is expected to join the fleet by December.