Maersk Line launches Bangladesh-China shipping operations

By Admin

26 Jun, 2025

A new chapter in Bangladesh-China trade has begun as Maersk Line, the world’s leading shipping company, announced the launch of its direct shipping route from Chittagong to Shanghai marking a strategic milestone in regional logistics and connectivity. This initiative comes on the heels of Singapore-based Pacific International Lines (PIL), which debuted its China-Singapore-Chittagong route on September 9 with the vessel Kota Wista.

A New Route, A New Opportunity
Maersk Line’s first direct voyage from Shanghai will begin on September 11, followed by a return journey from Chittagong to China on September 20. According to Tanveer Imam, country head of Maersk Line Bangladesh, this direct link will focus primarily on Shanghai, China’s commercial hub, enhancing the efficiency and pace of trade between the two nations. Maersk plans to operate four vessels on this route, which currently serve Chittagong-Singapore operations under its feeder service wing, MCC.

Reducing Costs and Lead Time
The move is expected to significantly reduce freight costs and cut down lead time by about a week, which will be especially beneficial for garment manufacturers and importers of electronics, fabrics, and machinery. As Bangladesh imports $7 billion worth of goods from China annually, direct shipping offers immense potential for cost-efficiency and smoother logistics. Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez, MD of Evince Group, noted that this will help Bangladesh secure more international orders due to shorter delivery times.

A Boon for Exporters
Until recently, vessels from Bangladesh had to undergo cumbersome transshipment through Singapore, Colombo, or Malaysia’s Port Klang. This caused delays, increased freight charges, and often led to port congestion and inflation. With Maersk and PIL now offering direct services, exporters of jute, leather, seafood, and ready-made garments are expected to benefit from faster delivery and better market access particularly in China, which has overtaken India as the largest buyer of Bangladeshi raw jute and jute yarn.

China’s Growing Role in Bangladesh Trade
China has become Bangladesh’s largest import partner, accounting for 21% of its $33 billion import bill in the fiscal year ending June 2011. Beyond electronics and fabrics, China imports Bangladeshi apparel, sea fish, and leather with trade expected to grow further as logistics improve. In 2024, China purchased $400 million worth of merchandise from Bangladesh, showing its increasing reliance on South Asian supply chains.

Looking Ahead
Shipping experts believe this development will intensify competition among feeder operators, while also providing relief from transshipment bottlenecks. Sahed Chowdhury, country chief of Seacon, confirmed they are observing the shift with great interest.