Team Black Pearl

20/03/2026

From "Team Black Pearl", we wish everyone a blessed Eid! May this festive occasion bring happiness, prosperity, and togetherness to all.
Eid Mubarak!

05/03/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CSB8eAVzH/

BUET Team Black Pearl Secures Global Recognition Again! 🌍⚓

Team Black Pearl from the Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, BUET has proudly achieved the 2nd Runner-up position at the 13th International Student Design Competition for a Safe and Affordable Ferry (2025–26). Their innovative ferry design, MV NIGER DRIFT, also received the $1,000 award for Innovative Solution.

Organized by the Worldwide Ferry Safety Association (WFSA), this year’s competition featured 18 outstanding teams from Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. While Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta secured 1st place and Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), Surabaya finished 2nd, Team Black Pearl proudly claimed the 3rd position, continuing BUET’s strong presence on the global stage.

The ferry MV NIGER DRIFT is designed to carry 200 passengers on Nigeria’s Onitsha–Lokoja route, powered by CNG, cruising at 20 knots with a travel time of about 5½ hours per trip.

Team Black Pearl continues its remarkable legacy in this prestigious competition:
🏆 Champions (2024–25)
🥈 1st Runners-up (2023–24)
🥉 2nd Runners-up (2020–21)
🥉 2nd Runners-up (2025–26)

Faculty Advisors: Dr. Zobair Ibn Awal, Md. Abdul Kader
Captain: Md. Kawsar Mhamud Zidan
Team Members: Md. Atiqur Rahaman, Shafollo Proshad Gupto, Md. Khairul Islam, Ahsan Ahmed, Dawan Md. Saiham Tubash, Aranya Mondal

👏 Congratulations to the team for bringing pride to BUET and Bangladesh!

04/03/2026

Team Black Pearl from the Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, BUET has achieved the 2nd Runner-up position at the 13th International Student Design Competition for a Safe and Affordable Ferry (2025–26) with the innovative ferry project, MV NIGER DRIFT, receiving an award $1,000 for the innovative solution.

This year’s competition, organized by the Worldwide Ferry Safety Association (WFSA), featured 18 outstanding teams from Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. The 1st place was awarded to Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, the 2nd place went to Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), Surabaya, and our very own Team Black Pearl proudly claimed the 3rd spot, continuing Bangladesh’s strong presence on the global stage.

The ferry, MV NIGER DRIFT, is designed to carry 200 passengers on the Onitsha–Lokoja route in Nigeria. It is powered by CNG. It cruises at 20 knots, taking about 5½ hours for a one-way trip.

Over the years, Team Black Pearl has built a remarkable legacy: Champions in 2024–25, 1st runners-up in 2023–24, 2nd runners-up in 2020–21, and now again on the podium in 2025–26.

Faculty Advisors: Dr. Zobair Ibn Awal, Md. Abdul Kader
Captain: Md Kawsar Mhamud Zidan
Team Members:Md Atiqur Rahaman, Shafollo Proshad Gupto, Md Khairul Islam, Ahsan Ahmed, Dawan Md Saiham Tubash, Aranya Mondal

01/03/2026

We are delighted to announce that Team Black Pearl from the Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, BUET has achieved the 2nd Runner-up position at the 13th International Student Design Competition for a Safe and Affordable Ferry (2025–26) with the innovative ferry project, MV NIGER DRIFT, receiving an award $1,000 for the innovative solution.

This year’s competition, organized by the Worldwide Ferry Safety Association (WFSA), featured 18 outstanding teams from Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. The 1st place was awarded to Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, the 2nd place went to Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), Surabaya, and our very own Team Black Pearl proudly claimed the 3rd spot, continuing Bangladesh’s strong presence on the global stage.

The ferry, MV NIGER DRIFT, is designed to carry 200 passengers on the Onitsha–Lokoja route in Nigeria. It is powered by CNG. It cruises at 20 knots, taking about 5½ hours for a one-way trip.

This success belongs to our entire team, our faculty advisors, and everyone who supported us in pursuing safer waterways.
Over the years, Team Black Pearl has built a remarkable legacy: Champions in 2024–25, 1st runners-up in 2023–24, 2nd runners-up in 2020–21, and now again on the podium in 2025–26.

We proudly recognize the talented team behind this achievement:

Faculty Advisors: Dr. Zobair Ibn Awal, Md. Abdul Kader
Captain: Md Kawsar Mhamud Zidan
Team Members:Md Atiqur Rahaman, Shafollo Proshad Gupto, Md Khairul Islam, Ahsan Ahmed, Dawan Md Saiham Tubash, Aranya Mondal

04/12/2025

This is a monumental moment for Team Black Pearl! We were deeply honored today to be recognized by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) at a special felicitation ceremony. This event celebrated our achievement of securing First Place in the International Ferry Design Competition for our innovative design, 'Naija Spirit,' representing Bangladesh on the international stage.

We extend our special gratitude and thanks to the Chief Guest of the event, Ms. Delowara Begum, Honorable Additional Secretary (Administration) of the Ministry of Shipping. Her esteemed presence and encouragement towards maritime safety and innovation have been a significant source of inspiration for us.

Furthermore, we sincerely thank Mr. Md. Salim Ullah, the Honorable Chairman of BIWTC, who created this platform, recognized the innovations of young people, and encouraged us toward national development.

This victory is a testament to the hard work of the seven-member team from the Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NAME) at BUET, led by Md Safayet Hossain , and guided by our esteemed supervisor, Professor Zobair Ibn Awal . The combined efforts of Abdul Kader , Abu Rasel , Mahmudul Hasan Shahed, Omeo Habib , Atiqur Rahaman , and Kawsar Zidan secured this success.

Our victory in this competition, organized in collaboration with international bodies like the WFSA (World Ferry Safety Association), highlights the commitment of Bangladesh's youth towards creating safer and more sustainable water transport systems. We hope that designs like 'Naija Spirit' will be implemented to play a crucial role in enhancing safety and efficiency across the nation's waterways.

08/10/2025

We are in today's news in the Daily Jugantor paper
News link in the comment section

30/08/2025

Happy Birthday Md Safayet Hossain, the captain. Best wishes for the future.

27/06/2025

Happy Birthday Kawsar Zidan. Our team's heart. Best wishes for the future

17/06/2025

A Great News!!
The Team Black Pearl is honored for a feature article by The Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) on us being the CHAMPION of the 12th Worldwide Ferry Safety Association Student Design Competition in 'The NAVAL ARCHITECT' magazine for June 2025.
Thanks, RINA, for featuring us.

The site link is in comment section.

02/04/2025

Happy birthday to our team member Abu Rasel. Best wishes for his future journey.

30/03/2025

"Team Black Pearl" wishes everyone a joyous and blessed Eid! May this festive occasion bring happiness, prosperity, and togetherness to all.
Eid Mubarak!

26/02/2025

Happy Birthday to one of the team members Mahmudul Hasan Shahed