The world's third largest shipping company has decided to start its business directly in Bangladesh from next month with an offer of more competitive charge.
The French company, CMA CGM Shipping Line, claimed its operation in Bangladesh would reduce the country's shipping costs by around 20 percent from next year.
“Our company will charge US$900 for per TEUs from Chittagong to European destinations instead of existing average rate of $950 for per TEUs,” CMA CGM Country Representative Nelum Attanayake said.
The company's charge will come down to $650-$700 soon as it will introduce more economic and competitive strategies, Attanayake said.
The company came to Bangladesh after assessing a robust business here as shipping lines witnessed a 15 percent growth in carrying containers from Chittagong Port during the first nine months of 2008 over the same period last year, port officials said.
The port handled 7,83,282 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) from January to September this year against 6,81,537 TEUs during the same period in 2007, they said.
Maersk Line, APL and Hapag-Lloyd are the leading players in the business in Bangladesh having around 12 percent, 10 percent and 8 percent market share respectively.
CMA will introduce new larger capacity vessels in November having speed of 20 knots per hour to reduce the time to 2.7 days from Chittagong to Port Kelang in Malaysia and 2.5 days to Singapore, said Zakir Ibne Saad, general manager (Marketing) of the company.
The faster transit will also enhance the competitiveness of Bangladeshi exports, he added.
As feeder vessels' services have become more competitive on Bangladesh's routes, many small companies left or suspended operations with many mainline operators joining the business.
Many local shipping companies such as QC Container Line, Prominent Shipping Lines, Columbia Shipping Lines and government-owned Bangladesh Shipping Corporation suspended feeder services due to tariff problems with mainline operators.
Now the freight tariff between Chittagong and Singapore ranges from $260 to $280 for each 20 feet container.
Ranking first in France and third worldwide, CMA CGM has become an international operator serving maritime shipping routes around the world with door-to-door services that combine maritime shipping with rail, river and highway transports.
by-Jasim Uddin Khan (thedailystar)
Foreign shipping firm to offer lower charge
0 comments
Post a Comment