Shipbuilding is one of the earliest industries developed in Bangla. The golden period of shipbuilding of Bangla was in the tenure of the Mughal Emperors. The Mughal Naval Force had built a large number of ships at Chattogram. The British Navy used warships which were built here in Bangal. 


In the time of British Government Narayanganj was one of the prominent business zones of this sub-continent. Well-connected river routes made Narayanganj port a potential business hub. Hundreds of ships used to berth here for goods transportation. Many of those harbored ships needed to be repaired because of long voyage. With this demand, then the British Government came up with the idea of establishing dockyard, here in Sonakanda, Narayanganj, from their business perspective.

Hence the journey begins of Dockyard and Engineering Works Ltd as Narayanganj Dockyard Ltd in 1926.

1922-1935: 

Narayanganj Dockyard Ltd. started its glorious journey in the hands of British Govt. established on the port city of Sonakanda, Narayanganj. It became fully operation in the year 1926.

1936-1947

Dockyard was handed over to Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) from the ownership of Royal Indian Marine Services (RIMS) in1947.

1948-1956

In 1956, ‘Narayanganj Dockyard Limited’ was changed to ‘Dockyard and Engineering Works Limited (DEW)’.

1957-1971

In 1971, the government of Bangladesh handed over this dockyard to the Bangladesh Steel and Engineering Corporation (BSEC).

1972-1978

The country's first warship was built at Dockyard and Engineering Works Limited, Narayanganj in 1972. It was named BNS PABNA.

The second warship BNS NOAKHALI was built in 1972. 

The third warship BNS PATUAKHALI was built in 1974. 

The fourth warship BNS RANGAMATI was built in 1977.

The fifth warship BNS BOGRA was built in 1977.

1979-2002

In 1979, DEW ltd. secured a contract with Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to supply 08 food-grain carrying vessels to BIWTC.

on 21st December 2002 DEW ltd. subsequently handed over to Bangladesh Privatization Board in an effort to revitalize the industry.

2003-2006

Finally in 2006 DEW was handed over to Bangladesh Navy (BN) to revive the old fame. The decision of handing over DEW to Bangladesh Navy was the major breakthrough in the history of its revitalization. Being an enterprise of Bangladesh Navy, this shipyard started its production by repairing naval ships for Bangladesh Navy.

2007-2012

Being an enterprise of Bangladesh Navy, this shipyard started its production by repairing naval ships for Bangladesh Navy. In 2012, DEW built the first ever water jet powered aluminum boat for the Bangladesh Coast Guard.

2013-2019

DEW has been awarded he Best Corporate Award in 2014 presented by ICMAB.

DEW was awarded the Best Corporate Award again in 2015 presented by ICMAB, in special category.

DEW again won the Best Corporate Award in miscellaneous services category, presented by ICMAB, in the year 2017.

As a part of its marketing strategy, DEW participated in different marine EXPOs and events such as Bangladesh Institute of Maritime Research and Development (BIMRAD) seminar in the year 2018. 

The DEW participated in the marine exposition Bangladesh International Marine And Offshore Expo 2019 (BIMOX) in 2019.

2019-2022

In the financial year 2019-2020 DEW consumed approximately 2070 tons of steel.

In the financial year 2019-2020, yearly turnover was Taka 1,611 crore, net profit was Taka 77.65 crore.

On 2nd September, 2021, DEW delivered 8 out of 60 Rescue Boats ordered by the Department of Disaster Management under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.

On 12th June, 2021, DEW delivered 10 out of 17 Tugboats ordered by Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) which established a new milestone for the yard.

At present a large number of shipbuilding projects are under progress. The steel consumption is expected to reach 3100 tons steel in financial year 2021-2022, which will be very impressive.