Late Sana Ullah Chowdhury, a pioneer in the Bangladesh shipping industry, incorporated his company, Atlas Shipping Agencies Limited on July 13, 1966.
On its 56th founding anniversary, we remember him, and I would like to share his story.
His success within the shipping industry is well known having started his shipping career in 1955 as a trainee in the shipping field with Shaw Wallace (Pakistan) Limited, Chittagong, who was the agent for Hansa Line, Bremen, West Germany.
During 1961-62, he had extensive training in shipping at Bremen, Hamburg, Antwerp, and Rotterdam, sponsored by the company.
In 1966, to establish his own company, with the name and style of Atlas Shipping Agencies Limited, he resigned from his employment.
Today through his persistence, unwavering effort, and principles, it has become one of the fastest-growing business conglomerates in the country.
For the first time in the history of Bangladesh, Atlas entered the ocean-going vessel ownership area with the acquisition of MV ‘AL-Salma’ 10,000 DWT in 1978 and she was put into service covering Bangladesh, Singapore, Colombo, Karachi and Bangladesh.
After successfully operating on these routes, the company added seven more vessels, namely: MV ‘AL-Sharmeen’ 4,000 DWT in 1980, MV ‘AL-Sayestha’ 8,000 DWT in 1981, MV ‘Al-Sana’ 8,000 DWT in 1985, MV “Al-Salma-2’ 10,000 DWT in 1985, MV ‘Al-Swamruz’ 12,500 DWT in 1986, MV ‘Safar’ 14,500 DWT in 1989 and MV “Al-Salamas’ 9,800 DWT in 1997.
After his passing on April 25 2019, the shipping industry of the country was left with a huge gap that can never be filled.
He was posthumously awarded a letter of felicitation by the Bangladesh Marine Academy where his efforts in the shipping industry were recognized as an outstanding lifetime contribution to the shipping industry.
His success in the shipping industry never overshadowed the kind, selfless and kindhearted family man he was. Atlas shipping Lines ltd which now has blossomed into Atlas Group, having offices in Dhaka, Chittagong and Khulna, adding more services such as cargo clearing and forwarding, lighter vessel management, and road transport etc.
The author is an aspiring businessman currently in the aquaculture sector, with a degree in the maritime logistics sector from the Australian Maritime College. He is also the oldest grandson of Sana Ullah Chowdhury
