The first ship on the newly established direct shipping route between China and Chattogram has successfully arrived at Chattogram Port. This marks a significant milestone in the trade relationship between the two nations.
The MV Kota Angun, operated by Singapore-based Pacific International Lines, docked at jetty 13 at 10:42 a.m. on Monday. It completed a swift nine-day journey from China’s Port of Ningbo-Zhushan, carrying 552 containers. This vessel represents the inaugural voyage of the China-Chattogram Express service, a collaborative effort between several shipping companies. The new route has reduced the shipping time between China and Bangladesh from 20-25 days to just nine.
“The MV Kota Angun has made the journey in record time, bypassing the need for transshipment at ports like Singapore, Malaysia, or Colombo, which previously added time and cost,” said Qudrat-e-Khuda, Terminal Manager of the Chittagong Port Authority.
Mahtab Uddin, Pacific International Lines’ operations officer, emphasized how the direct route will benefit industries in Bangladesh. “This direct route will greatly reduce transit time and boost industries dependent on Chinese imports, such as machinery and raw materials for the garment sector,” he said.
He also noted the growing export demand on this first voyage. “The vessel arrived with 552 import containers, and we expect to ship 400-500 export containers back to China,” Uddin added.
China remains Bangladesh’s largest trading partner. In the fiscal year 2022-23, bilateral trade amounted to $24 billion. Bangladesh imported $22.9 billion worth of goods from China and exported $677 million.
Around 70% of the raw materials used in Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) industry come from China. Previously, these goods were shipped via transshipment ports, which caused delays. The new direct service is expected to significantly shorten delivery times and benefit the garment sector.
Besides the new express service, Pacific International Lines operates two other routes—BD1 and BD2—between Chattogram and China. These routes still include a stop in Singapore for transshipment.
Syed Mohammad Arif, Chairman of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association, praised the launch of the direct service. He noted that increased competition among shipping companies could reduce freight costs for Bangladeshi businesses. However, he stressed the importance of maintaining regular operations on this route.
“A direct China-Chattogram route offers significant advantages, but maintaining this service consistently will be crucial to reaping long-term benefits,” Arif said.
As Bangladesh’s trade with China continues to grow, this new direct route is expected to play a key role in providing faster, more cost-effective shipping solutions. This development will likely foster stronger economic ties between the two nations.
Source: The Business Standard
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