Direct Ship Service from Karachi to Chittagong Brings More Containers

A Panama-flagged vessel, the MV Yuan Xiang Fa Zhang, is set to arrive in Chittagong port this Saturday, carrying a larger load of containers compared to its previous trip. The ship is expected to reach the port’s waters with 825 containers (each measuring 20 feet), marking the second time it will travel directly from Karachi to Chittagong.

This marks the second direct shipment between Karachi and Chittagong, with a notable increase in the number of containers compared to the first trip. In November, the ship had carried 370 containers, with 297 of them coming from Karachi.

The new sea route service is being operated by Dubai-based container shipping company Feeder Line DMCC, with local agency operations handled by Regensa Lines Limited, an affiliate of Karnaphuli Limited in Bangladesh. Anis Uddoula, the executive director of Regensa Lines Limited, informed that the ship is arriving again directly from Karachi, but this time with a larger number of containers.

“It is expected to reach the port’s waters by Saturday, after which it will dock at the port’s jetty. After unloading the containers, the ship will leave Chittagong port again,” said Anis Uddoula.

This direct shipping route between Karachi and Chittagong began in November. On its first journey, the ship carried 370 TEUs, including items like sodium carbonate, glass waste, dolomite, limestone, magnesium carbonate, clothing fabric, car parts, onions, and potatoes from Karachi.

This time, the shipment includes raw materials for the garment industry, minerals, and consumer goods from Pakistan, although the exact quantity has not been disclosed.

Anis Uddoula also mentioned that there was initially a plan to operate this route with one ship, but due to the growing interest from importers and exporters, another ship might be added to the route.

Although the ship is coming directly from Karachi, it begins its journey from Dubai. The ship will also stop at ports in Indonesia (Belawan), Malaysia (Port Klang), and India (Mundra) before returning to Dubai.

Previously, goods from Pakistan to Chittagong were subject to mandatory “physical” inspections. However, on September 29, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) lifted this requirement, making the process more efficient.

This new direct shipping route is expected to further strengthen the trade ties between Pakistan’s Karachi port and Chittagong port, opening up new opportunities for Bangladesh’s import and export activities.