Up and down the river with fiberglass boat 

The water vehicles – big or small – made mostly of fiberglass are gradually taking over the local market with its extraordinary features – durability, light weight and phenomenal speed. 

The owners of river transport as well as their local manufacturers are in their heyday as both are complementing each other while it is a win-win for everyone.     

According to the boat builders, a fiberglass boat does not rot or damage easily, nor does it create any dust or pollution while wooden boats do. Besides, its longevity is 20-30 years not to mention the super speed the boat picks up. 

Despite its high manufacturing cost – twice as much as that made of steel or wood – its repairing cost is very low. 

The government agencies including Naval Police, Department of Forest, Department of Fisheries, Water Development Board, Roads and Highways Department, Rampal Coal Power Plant, Payra Power Plant and Padma Bridge authorities use different types of boats made of fiberglass.  

Deputy Commissioners, Upzila Nirbahi Officers, fertilizer factories and blue economy researchers of riparian regions find such light weight, speedy water vehicle very handy. 

The industry insiders observed that the boat market is growing in line with the increasing number of affluent class, government projects, tour operators and passenger carriers. 

The market is estimated at Tk 500 crore to Tk 600 crore, but the Covid-19 pandemic took the shine off it to some extent. 

Arafat Hussain, chief naval architect and director of Metacentre Limited, said: “Boats made of fiberglass last 15-20 years, and if maintained properly, its longevity goes up to 30 years or so.”

The builder of catamaran-type vessel – MV Greenline – posited that if someone operates a passenger carrier made of fiberglass, they will be able to save both time and money.   

A total of 10-12 manufacturers are building boats maintaining international standard, and it is expected that an export opportunity may rise within the next five to seven years.

Several Fiberglass boat builders have achieved ‘RINA’ certification – a UK-based organisation that provides quality assurance and certification for ship’s components and accessories, including life-saving appliances, marine pollution prevention, fire protection, navigation, radio communication equipment, deck gear and anchors. 

Sources said there are four companies having competitive standard to bid for government contact. There are around 50 workshops in Narayanganj, Keraniganj, Chattogram and Narsingdi where hundreds of technicians are engaged in building and repairing fiberglass boats. 

The water vehicles of different types including catamaran made of fiberglass are gathering pace in congruence with the mega development spree the country is going through.

The vehicles include speed boat, petrol boat, tourist boat, kayaking boat, relief boat, rescue boat, fishing trawler and long-routed passenger carrier.  

A weekly commuter Arafat Islam who commutes between Dhaka and Bhola said the long-routed catamaran boat made of fiberglass takes him only five hours to get to his destination instead of 10 hours he spent on journey with traditional launch while his travel fare has dropped by 50 per cent. 

Not only Arafat, a good number of people are making their journey home by the new addition of fiberglass vessel.

Like the long-distance waterway, comparatively short-distance routes of Padma, Cox’s Bazar Sadar to Moheshkhali, Sandwip to Chattogram, Barishal to Bhola and Rangamati lakes have got the plying of fiberglass speedboats since long.

Golden Fiber Glass Chief Executive Officer Mahamudul Kamal Robin told The Business Post making boat using fiberglass is a rising sector in Bangladesh.

“We have a good market demand as well as skilled technicians, who have come back from Malaysia and Maldives’ fiberglass boat-building industries. To promote the Made in Bangladesh luxurious boat industry, the government should decrease the existing duty,” stated Robin.

The duty on fiberglass raw material is high -- some 37 per cent -- compared to that of steel-made ship. The materials are imported from Singapore, Malaysia, China and Indonesia. 

Owner of Akoh Boat Builder Mohammad John Miah that builds MV Greenline-1 said the fiberglass vessels are gaining popularity nowadays for their light weight and high speed picked up by a powerful world-class engine made of steel. 

“It is long lasting and free from rust and pollution that is very dear to the rich merchants. Once the boats had been imported from overseas,” John explained.    

The government authorities under a myriad of development projects in riparian regions purchase light weight small boats for patrolling different riverine areas.

Means of Tourism

Private tourism operators, boat clubs have introduced fiberglass boats for tourists so that the latters can relish the experience of a luxurious living in a houseboat in the Sundarbans and Rangamati lakes. 

The operators attract tourists and couples opting for honeymoon through offering several packages.

One such organisation is Promodini Boat Life that offers a daylong private houseboat experience in breathtaking Kaptai Lake in Rangamati. 

“I never imagined that a boat could be made of fiberglass as an alternative to a boat made of steel and wood. My dream has come true only because of the fiberglass,” said Dipanjan Dewan, owner of Promodini Boat Life.

Dhaka Boat Club Limited that came into limelight with a recent allegation of attempted rape raised by film actress Pori Moni received the order of a 45-seat cruise boat.   

Export potential

Chief Executive Officer of Golden Fiber Mahamudul Kamal Robin said they are the pioneer of fiberglass vessel, which came into being in 1982. The company exported 16-feet 110 light boats to Denmark the same year. 

“That was the only export made so far. After that, shipment problem stood in the way while export was held off accordingly,” he said.

But the stakeholders are optimistic that they will resume export within five to seven years.  

How to make: The boat builders import fiberglass and fiber chemicals as raw materials. A single and thin fiberglass coating is given at first. After applying one coating on top of the other, the fiber sheet is made. Understanding the importance of ship, 5 to 10 layers of sheets are prepared. 

Bashir Ahmed, technician of Golden Fiber at Amirabar of Bandar in Narayanganj, said a 16.5-feet boat can be built within four days with four technicians. 

A small-size boat with Suzuki or Yamaha brand engine costs around Tk 5 to Tk 10 lakh. The builders have capacity to manufacture fiberglass boats worth around Tk 5 lakh to Tk 50 crore.