BSCL, Sternula ink deal to boost Bangladesh’s maritime safety

Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL) and Danish company Sternula signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday, April 29, to enhance safety and digitization in Bangladesh’s maritime sector through satellite-based Automatic Identification System (AIS) technology. 

The signing ceremony took place at BSCL’s conference hall, with BSCL Managing Director and CEO Dr. Muhammad Imadur Rahman and Sternula CEO Lars Molsten formalising the agreement.

Senior officials from both sides, including Ali Mushtaq Butt, Head of Trade Mission at the Danish Embassy, attended the event. 

Sternula, a pioneer in AIS 2.0/VDES technology—the world’s first system dedicated to maritime safety—will collaborate with BSCL to implement this cutting-edge solution.

The satellite-based AIS tracks vessels, providing real-time data on location, movement, and destination to shipping lines, fishing trawlers, ports, and authorities, while also offering navigation warnings. 

The partnership aims to modernise ship operations, enable 24/7 communication at seaports, foster innovation, create new revenue streams, and increase vessel traffic at Bangladeshi ports.

According to the Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh has 50,000 vessels, including 37,000 fishing trawlers, many of which operate 100 to 200 nautical miles offshore. 

Satellite technology is essential to provide network coverage for these vessels. Through this MoU, BSCL and Sternula will leverage AIS to accelerate the growth of Bangladesh’s maritime economy.