Shahed Sarwar is a name synonymous with the evolution of Bangladesh’s shipping sector. Currently serving as the Deputy Managing Director (DMD) of the renowned Chowdhury Group and an advisor to the Bangladesh Shipping Agents’ Association, his 38-year career is a living testament to dedication. Joining on January 1, 1990, as a Junior Executive, he has grown alongside the organization to the point where Shahed Sarwar and Chowdhury Group have become inseparable.
Throughout his illustrious journey, he has received numerous “Best Employee” awards both at home and abroad. In this exclusive interview, he shares the highlights of his colorful career and personal experiences.
The Beginning: From Textiles to Shipping
Question: Tell us about the start of your career. Was shipping always your first choice?
Shahed Sarwar: To be honest, shipping wasn’t the initial plan. My father was the manager of a bank’s Agrabad branch. Since childhood, I admired his smart, well-groomed look and the official car that came to pick him up. I wanted a career that offered that kind of professional grace. Initially, I was drawn to the textile and garments sector because my elder brother worked in a foreign buying house. However, it was my brother who suggested that the shipping sector held immense potential for young professionals. Following his advice, I stepped into this world.
Marriage or Job? An Unforgettable Memory
Question: You started with ‘K-Line,’ which is now a core pride of Chowdhury Group. Could you share that famous story from your interview?
Shahed Sarwar: (Laughs) I can never forget that. The Managing Director (MD) asked me, “What do you understand by shipping operations?” I admitted I had no experience. He then gave me a hypothetical crisis: “Suppose you are sitting at your wedding ceremony, and a call comes from the port about a ship in trouble. You have to leave your wedding to rush to the port. What would you choose?”
Without hesitation, I replied, “I would prioritize the job; the wedding can happen later.” He burst into laughter. That answer decided my fate that very day.
The First Day’s Trial by Fire
Question: Is it true you almost quit after your very first day?
Shahed Sarwar: Yes! It was a freezing winter. I expected a comfortable 9-to-5 desk job. Instead, I spent my first day at Port Gate No. 5, overseeing garment loading until 3:00 AM. When I finally reached home in Devpahar by taxi, I told myself I wouldn’t go back. But the next morning, I woke up and went to the office anyway. My brother’s encouragement—that those joining shipping were doing exceptionally well—kept me going. Today, I realize that my own persistence and the excellent environment of Chowdhury Group are what kept me here.
Chowdhury Group: A Legacy of Meritocracy
Question: 38 years in one organization is rare. What is the secret behind this loyalty?
Shahed Sarwar: I believe when an employee is valued correctly, they don’t look elsewhere. Chowdhury Group is not just a business; it’s a family. We started as K-Line Bangladesh and later rebranded as Chowdhury Group. The trust the owners placed in me made me stronger through every crisis. Serving three generations of this group is the greatest pride of my life.
Question: There is a story about a bike that fueled your passion. Could you share that?
Shahed Sarwar: In 1993, when my immediate boss moved to Dubai, the MD asked me to take over his responsibilities. I set one condition: if the company bought me a 100cc Honda bike, I would work 24/7. Without a second thought, he wrote a check for 64,000 BDT—a massive sum back then. That bike was like reaching for the stars. Later, opportunities like training in Japan on a government scholarship and representing the company in the US and Europe were all possible because of the group’s generous mindset.
Witnessing the Great Cyclone of 1991
Question: What is the most memorable or terrifying experience of your career?
Shahed Sarwar: The Great Cyclone of April 29, 1991. I worked at the port until 9:00 PM that night. After returning home, I heard about the Great Danger Signal No. 10. The next morning, when I reached the port on my bike, I saw total devastation—sheds destroyed and ships torn from their moorings, washed up on land. The raw power of nature that day remains the most haunting memory of my life.
Advice to the New Generation
Question: Today’s youth often switch jobs quickly. What is your advice to them?
Shahed Sarwar: The current generation can be impatient, jumping from one firm to another for minor perks. But expertise takes time to build. I received many lucrative offers over the years, but I stayed because of the respect I earned here. Young professionals should focus on patience and sharpening their skills.
Question: What are your expectations for the shipping sector in Bangladesh?
Shahed Sarwar: Projects like the Bay Terminal or Matarbari are positive steps, but we need more action and less talk. We need an integrated policy. Policymakers must ask why large firms are hiring senior officers from abroad. To attract our talented youth, we must improve salary structures and ensure domestic talent is properly recognized.
— BusinessToday24 Correspondent, Chattogram.
