Speaking as chief guest at a joint program marking the 64th founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Marine Academy and World Maritime Day 2026 in Juldia, Chattogram, on Thursday (September 24, 2026), the Minister addressed visa complexities faced by seafarers seeking vessel placements abroad. He assured that the ministry is actively engaging with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to resolve these administrative hurdles. Highlighting that approximately 18 to 20 lakh global seafarers manage nearly 90 percent of world trade, Alam emphasized the necessity of expanding public and private investment in Bangladesh's maritime sector. Guest speakers, including Commandant Captain Kazi ABM Shamim, Chattogram-13 MP Sarwar Jamal Nizam, and Shipping Secretary Md. Zakaria, underscored that sustaining a robust blue economy requires comprehensive development across shipbuilding, ship recycling, port management, marine insurance, and shore-based services.