First ever Bangladesh-Middle East shipping service launched

French shipping company CMA CGM Group announced the launch of a new service, named Bangladesh India Gulf Express (BIGEX). The service will debut as the fastest direct shipping service that connects Bangladesh to Jebel Ali and Abu Dhabi in the Gulf; as well as Nhava Sheva and Mundra in India.

BIGEX will begin operating from the port of Chittagong in Bangladesh on 5 April.

Three 1,700-TEU vessels will be deployed on the westbound rotation, Chittagong (Bangladesh) - Colombo (Sri Lanka) - Mangalore (India) - Nhava Sheva (India) - Mundra (India), and on the eastbound rotation, Jebel Ali (UAE) - Khalifa Port (UAE).

CMA CGM noted that the introduction of BIGEX charts the Bangladesh-India-Sri Lanka-Gulf corridor, transforming Bangladesh’s sea lane to the Gulf and India West Coast.

"Characterised by fast transit times, exports from Chittagong will reach Jebel Ali and Abu Dhabi in just 14 and 15 days respectively. A more efficient and greener alternative to trucking, BIGEX will get Bangladesh shipments to Nhava Sheva and Mundra in 8 and 10 days respectively," pointed out the Marseille-based box line.

BIGEX also intends to broaden Chittagong's access to transshipment centres beyond major Asian ports to include the Gulf and India's West Coast ports. This broadens market access and shortens transit times, such as for US-bound Bangladesh goods transmitted through Colombo, according to the carrier.