MV Kota Angoon, the first ship on the route carrying 552 containers from China’s Ningbo-Zhushan port, started sailing on September 7 and reached Chattogram after nine days via Shanghai and Shekou, according to the Chattogram Port Authority.

A consortium of ships owned by multiple organisations has joined this service named China-Chittagong Express (CCE), according to domestic media reports.

A goods carrying mother vessel used to take 20 to 25 days earlier to reach Chattogram port from China, travelling via Singapore, Malaysia or Colombo.

Bangladesh imports machinery and raw materials for garment units from China, while it exports jute yarn, hide and processed hair there.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)