CMA CGM Launch Fastest Direct Bangladesh-Middle East Shipping Service
The CMA CGM Group, a global player in sea, land and air logistics solutions, has announced the launch of the new Bangladesh India Gulf Express (BIGEX) service.
The service will debut as the first and fastest direct service that connects Bangladesh to Jebel Ali and Abu Dhabi in the Gulf; as well as Nhava Sheva and Mundra in India.
BIGEX will commence sailing from the port of Chittagong on 5th April. Three 1,700-TEU vessels deployed on the service will ply between the westbound rotation of Chittagong - Colombo - Mangalore - Nhava Sheva – Mundra; and the eastbound leg to Jebel Ali - Khalifa Port.
Transforming Bangladesh’s sea lane to the Middle East and India West Coast
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.
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A more efficient and greener alternative to trucking, BIGEX will get Bangladesh shipments to Nhava Sheva and Mundra in 8 and 10 days respectively.
Diversifying Bangladesh’s transhipment connectivity
BIGEX is also set to diversify Chittagong’s connectivity to transhipment hubs beyond the key Asian ports to the Gulf and India West Coast ports. This expands the routes to markets and further reduces transit time, such as that for US-bound Bangladesh cargoes that will be relayed via Colombo.
Xavier Eiglier, Senior Vice President CMA CGM Middle East Gulf, Indian-Sub-Continent, Indian Ocean Islands, and Southern & East Africa, said: “Historically, sea trade between the Indian subcontinent and Gulf countries has been instrumental in the development of what would later become one of the world’s most dynamic regions.
"The recently signed India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and ongoing free trade pact discussions between India and the GCC will strengthen economic ties between these regions.
"With the launch of the BIGEX service, the CMA CGM Group supports its customers to seize promising two-way trade market opportunities.”
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