A direct shipping route to Slovenia could increase Bangladeshi’s RMG exports
The launch of a direct shipping route from the port of Chattogram to the Port of Koper in Slovenia could significantly increase the amount of ready-made clothing exported from Bangladesh to Europe, say RMG exporters.
In addition, the time required to transport goods from Bangladesh to European countries will be reduced by 15-20 days if the Chattogram-Koper route is introduced, the leaders of the Bangladesh Association of Clothing Manufacturers and Exporters (BGMEA) said at a meeting with Chattogram. Port Authority (CPA) and the Port of Koper delegation.
A meeting of representatives of both ports and BGMEA took place in the Chattogram port building, at which the possibility of a direct shipping route from the Chattogram port to the Port of Koper was examined on Tuesday.
Borut Semrl, director (sales) of Luka Koper, said at the event that the port in Slovenia is connected to the hinterland container market, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Italy, the Czech Republic, Germany, Croatia, Bosnia, Herzegovina and Serbia.
Rear Admiral CPA M Shahjahan said the port of Koper could help Bangladeshi exporters deliver goods to Eastern and Central European countries.
“We will be able to deliver the cargo within 15-20 days along this route. This will reduce transportation costs and shorten shipping times, which will benefit our traders. The country will also be economically successful,” he said.
BGMEA First Vice President Sayed Nazrul Islam said at the event: “Bangladesh exported $ 69.90 worth of RMG goods in 21,2021 and $ 101.74 in Slovenia in 22,202. We believe that the Port of Chattogram and the Port of Koper will be in Slovenia will continue this venture of mutual relations and strengthen our trade relations in the future. “
He said about $ 31.45 billion in RMG products were exported in fiscal year 21. As of May of the 22nd fiscal year, exports amounted to $ 38.52 billion.
Sayed Nazrul added: “Various transhipment ports are facing congestion problems, but our enthusiastic port president has taken remarkable steps to arrange direct vessels from Chattogram port to European ports.”
“As a result, costs and shipping times are becoming competitive. Foreign buyers and our exporters are now interested in using these direct vessels.”
Attending were Mitja Dujc, Commercial Director of Luka Koper, Miha Groznik, Honorary Consul at the Consulate of Bangladesh in Slovenia, Kabir Ahmed, President of the Bangladeshi Freight Forwarders Association (BAFFA), Khairul Alam Sujan, Vice President of BAFFA, and senior BGMEA officials at the meeting.
On behalf of the CPA, the meeting was attended by its members (administration and planning) Md Zafar Alam, Director (Transport) Enamul Karim, Deputy Conservative Capt Faridul Alam, Acting Secretary Md Nasir Uddin and other senior officials.
Currently, container ships from Chattogram are going to transshipment ports such as Malaysian Tanjung Pelepas or Klang, Singapore, Colombo or China before heading towards European countries. Export shipments arrive at their destination via major ports such as Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg in Europe. The whole trip takes about 40 days.
On February 7 this year, the first direct ship shipment from the port of Chattogram began, introducing the Chattogram-Italy route. On 20 May, London-based freight forwarder Allseas Global Logistics introduced the Chattogram-Rotterdam-Liverpool route. Direct shipments to the Netherlands began in early June.
Direct shipments to Europe reduce the time to 20 days, and transport costs will also be reduced by 20-30%.