Bangladesh exporters, especially the readymade garment sector will get a huge push as direct freight services between the South Asian nation and Europe is slated to commence this month. Once this service starts, Dhaka's exports will reach Europe in about 16 days compared to about 40 days, that the ships take at present. The containers currently travel through multiple trans-shipment ports. Besides, this will also significantly reduce total shipment cost.

The EU is one the main trading partners for the South Asian country. EU imports from Bangladesh primarily comprises clothing.

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According to India Shipping News, a news portal focused on logistics and trade developments, the first cargo ship on the route will leave Chattogram for the port of Ravenna in Italy in the first week. “Initially two ships will transport cargo containers from Chattogram on the route every 25 days,” it said.

Another related portal Fibre2Fashion pointed out that currently, Italy-bound container ships from Chattogram port first have to reach a European base port such as the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, the Port of Antwerp in Belgium and the Port of Hamburg in Germany via transshipment ports such as Singapore, Colombo in Sri Lanka, Tanjum Palapas and Kelang in Malaysia and a few in China. From there, they can go to Italy, it added.

Experts said that the initiative will strengthen Bangladesh’s position in the European markets.