Buriganga Ship Yard
About Buriganga Ship Yard
Across the Buriganga from Old Dhaka, along the Keraniganj bank, a string of informal shipyards stretches along the water. Here workers build and repair the launches, cargo boats and ferries that carry people and goods across Bangladesh, and old hulls are cut up for scrap. Much of the work is done with hammers, welding torches and muscle rather than heavy machinery.
The scene is noisy, smoky and dramatic: steel hulls propped on the mud, sparks flying, and teams hauling plates and timber by hand. It is a working industrial site, not a tourist attraction, but it shows the river economy that keeps the country moving.
The usual way in is by small boat from Sadar Ghat & Buriganga River, which also gives fine views of the busy river. Evergreen Bangladesh Tours includes the shipyards on private Old Dhaka tours with a local guide who knows where visitors can safely watch, often combined with Ahsan Manzil and the lanes of Shakhari Bazar.
Things to do
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Cross the river by boat
A wooden boat from Sadarghat carries you across the Buriganga past ferries and cargo vessels.
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Watch ship repair work
See workers welding, hammering and refitting hulls on the riverbank.
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Photograph industrial scenes
Huge hulls, sparks and river light make striking photos, with permission from the workers.
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Learn about river transport
A guide can explain how launches and cargo boats link Dhaka with the rest of the country.
Getting there
From Old Dhaka: go to Sadarghat and hire a small boat to cross to the Keraniganj side. The crossing takes only a few minutes.
Road access via the bridges is possible but slow. The boat is quicker and more interesting.
Where to stay
Visit as part of a day in Old Dhaka and stay in Gulshan, Banani or Dhanmondi, where most international hotels are.
Tours that visit Buriganga Ship Yard
Holiday Tours
Bangladesh Cultural and Heritage Discovery Tour
from $800 per person
Day Tours
Dhaka Documentary & Street Photography Tour
from $50 per person
Holiday Tours
Ten Days Across Bangladesh
from $800 per person
Questions
Is it safe to visit the shipyards?
Yes, with sensible precautions. Stay with your guide, wear closed shoes and keep away from active work areas.
Can I take photos?
Usually, if you ask first. Some workers prefer not to be photographed, so respect their wishes.
How long does a visit take?
About an hour on site, plus the boat crossing from Sadarghat.
When is the best time to go?
Mornings in the dry months from November to February are cooler and the light is good.