Chittagong - Thailand direct shipping could save costs and time

Launching a direct shipping service between Bangladesh’s Chittagong Port and Thailand’s Ranong Port has received a fresh push as trade between the two countries is growing.

The total export-import trade between Bangladesh and Thailand reached nearly US$1.3 billion which are now being transported through Malaysian and Singaporean ports. In this bilateral trade, Thailand’s share is over US$1.2 billion.

Thailand mainly exports cement, cereals, plastics, man-made staple fibers, sugar and sugar confectionary, machinery and mechanical appliances, cotton and cotton fabrics, salt, sulphur, earth, stone, and mineral fuels, among others.

On the other hand, Bangladesh exports apparel, vegetable, textile fibers, articles of apparel, products of animal origin, electrical and electronic equipment, frozen fish and crustaceans, among others.

The two countries are also in discussion to sign a free trade agreement to further enhance trade and investment.

Newly appointed ambassador of Thailand to Bangladesh, Makawadee Sumitmor thus is pushing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to immediately launch a direct shipping service to minimise time consumption and cut costs in transportation of goods.

At a meeting with the officials of the Chittagong Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) on 29 September, the ambassador said they are waiting to sign the MoU on direct shipping service to facilitate and further boost bilateral trade.

CCCI president, Mahbubul Alam noted that presently 12 to 15 days are needed to send cargoes from Chittagong to Thailand which can be lowered to only four days with a direct shipping service.

He added that the transportation cost will also be halved as vessels will have to spend one-third of the current time requirement.

“We are hopeful that the memorandum of understanding will be signed within the next two months,” he said.

Additionally, Alam explained that instead of going through the rough sea, the direct vessels will ply through coastal routes, thus even small vessels will be able to transport cargoes to Ranong Port, the closest Thai port to Chittagong.

Source: Container News


Related News

Hapag-Lloyd sets new charges from Asia
Hapag-Lloyd sets new charges from Asia

Hapag-Lloyd has announced several rate increases, which will take effect in August, for sailings starting from Asia ports.

CMA CGM sets new surcharges from India and Pakistan
CMA CGM sets new surcharges from India and Pakistan

CMA CGM has published new peak season surcharges (PSS), which will take effect on 25 June, from India and Pakistan to several destinations across the world.

Shanghai and Shenzhen see container decline amid slightly higher box volumes in China
Shanghai and Shenzhen see container decline amid slightly higher box volumes in China

The container throughput of the 12 major Chinese ports was 44.1 million TEUs in the first two months of the year, representing a year-on-year slight increase of 1.3%.


main.add_cart_success