Steps have been taken to establish direct shipping between Chittagong port and Slovenian Port of Koper for reaching Bangladeshi export items to European markets in a shorter time and at a lower cost.

A delegation from the Slovenian port in the Adriatic Sea discussed the issue with Chattogam port officials on Tuesday. Garment exporters and representatives from the shipping sector were also present at the meeting.
Nagad

People involved with the process said direct shipping between the two ports would ensure the export of Bangladesh-made apparel of an estimated value of over $1 billion.

“There will be an easy way to get rid of the global shipping clutter through the Port of Koper, one of the modern port facilities in the region,” said Brout Semrl, a member of the Slovenian delegation.

The goods could be delivered in lesser time and at a lower cost, if direct shipping with Port of Koper begins, he said.

Noting that goods could be easily shipped to at least four business destinations in Europe – Slovenia,  Western Europe, Scandinavian countries, and central Europe, Brout Semrl said, “The Port of Koper recently undergone a lot of infrastructural development with huge investment and it provides its users with modern and efficient services.”

Garment exporters and freight forwarders in Bangladesh have taken the initiative to launch a new direct shipping line to Slovenia and the Chittagong port authorities assured them of their full cooperation. The Slovenian delegation was studying the feasibilities of launching a direct shipping route between Chittagong Port and the Port of Koper.

Chittagong port has established direct shipping links with three more European routes this year and goods are being exported to European markets avoiding bottlenecks at the trans-shipment ports. Rear Admiral Mohammad Shahjahan, chairman of the Chittagong Port Authority, told the Slovenian delegation that Bangladesh is focusing on overseas trade, basically export growth, to maintain its economic growth.

“We are handling more than three million TEUs containers a year and the capacity will be further enhanced as our new multiple facilities will be launched soon,” he said highlighting the port’s capacity.

Officials concerned said the timeframe of starting direct shipping to the Slovenian port was yet to be finalised.

In the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, Bangladesh exported garments to Slovenia about worth $1.084 billion. The country is considered a very growing market for Bangladeshi garments. In FY 2020-2021, apparel worth $69.90 million was exported to Slovenia.

Sayed Nazrul Islam, First Vice President of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said, “We are eagerly awaiting for starting a direct shipping route to Adriatic Sea Port of Koper. It will be more beneficial for Bangladeshi garment buyers in some regions of Europe.”