Bangladesh has launched a new eco-tourism vessel powered by Swedish thin-film solar technology in a project that also marks the expansion of Swedish solar company Midsummer into the Bangladeshi market through its regional office in Thailand.
The M.V. Malangi was officially launched on 25 June during a sustainability event titled Building a Sustainable Future for Sundarban, held aboard the vessel. The launch also included the signing of a strategic distribution and partnership agreement between Bangladesh’s Charm BD Ltd., part of Unissol Group, and Bangkok-based Midsummer Siam, the regional representative of Sweden’s Midsummer AB.
Designed for sustainable tourism in the Sundarbans, the vessel is equipped with Midsummer’s lightweight, flexible thin-film solar panels, helping reduce its dependence on conventional fossil fuel-based power generation while demonstrating how renewable energy can be integrated into maritime tourism.
The launch attracted senior representatives from the Bangladeshi government, the Bangladesh Forest Department, the Embassy of Sweden in Dhaka, as well as environmental organisations, development agencies and private-sector companies. Among the speakers were Dr. Md. Saimum Parvez, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Environment, Forestry and Climate Change Affairs, and Swedish Ambassador Nicolas Weeks.
The agreement appoints Charm BD as Midsummer’s distribution and implementation partner in Bangladesh, where the companies plan to promote the Swedish solar technology for commercial, industrial, maritime and tourism applications.
Lars Svensson, Head of Strategic Partnership & Business Development – ASEAN+6 for Midsummer AB, said Bangladesh offered significant opportunities for renewable energy development.
“Bangladesh is one of the world’s most dynamic and forward-looking economies, and we see tremendous opportunities to support its sustainability ambitions,” he said.
“The installation on M.V. Malangi demonstrates how renewable energy can be integrated into maritime, tourism and climate-sensitive environments.”
Ahmed Ullah, Director of Charm BD under Unissol Group, said the vessel represented more than a tourism project.
“The launch of M.V. Malangi is about much more than a vessel. It is a platform for promoting sustainable tourism, environmental awareness and practical climate solutions,” he said.
Following the agreement, the two companies said they intend to explore additional renewable energy projects across Bangladesh, including commercial rooftop installations, government facilities, ports, floating solar applications and other climate resilience initiatives.
