STAR BUSINESS DESK

An Aframax oil tanker, MT Omera Liberty -- the largest newly built vessel under the Bangladeshi flag -- has recently begun its maiden voyage from South Korea.

Financed by BRAC Bank PLC, the tanker is owned by MJL Bangladesh PLC, a concern of East Coast Group.

The 250-metre-long vessel, with a carrying capacity of up to 115,000 tonnes of fuel oil, began its maiden journey on March 31, 2026.

The commissioning ceremony was held at Daehan Shipbuilding in South Korea on March 25, according to a press release. Azam J Chowdhury, chairman of East Coast Group, attended the event.

“We are proud to partner with MJL Bangladesh in financing the largest Bangladeshi-flagged oil tanker,” said Tareq Refat Ullah Khan, managing director and CEO of BRAC Bank.

“This milestone reflects our capability to deliver large-scale foreign currency financing in collaboration with global partners,” he said, adding that the initiative would support trade growth, energy security and long-term economic development.

The addition of MT Omera Liberty is expected to enhance MJL Bangladesh’s operational capacity, strengthen maritime logistics and support the country’s growing energy demand.

Industry insiders said deploying large oil tankers will help reduce foreign currency outflows for fuel transportation, while opening opportunities to earn foreign exchange through international freight services.

The move is also expected to create jobs for Bangladeshi maritime professionals, the release added.

Earlier, BRAC Bank arranged a $95.77 million financing package for MJL Bangladesh to acquire two Aframax tankers -- MT Omera Liberty and MT Omera Galaxy -- marking the largest single-ticket foreign currency offshore term loan by a local private bank for the sector.

Among others, David Kim, chairman of Daehan Shipbuilding; Toufiqul Islam, Bangladesh ambassador to South Korea; Captain Minhazur Reza Chowdhury, chief executive officer of MJL Shipping; and Abu Sadat Chowdhury, area head -1, corporate, commercial and institutional banking of the bank, were also present.