Image Credits : Daily Shipping News
Pacific International Lines (PIL), a leading container shipping company, has announced the launch of its new China-Chittagong Express (CCE) service, significantly expanding its coverage within the intra-Asia trade routes. The new service, which commenced operations in August 2024, aims to enhance connectivity between China and Bangladesh, reflecting PIL’s strategic focus on strengthening its presence in the fast-growing Asian markets.
The China-Chittagong Express service is designed to provide a direct and efficient link between key ports in China, including Shanghai, Ningbo, and Shekou, and Chittagong, Bangladesh’s principal maritime gateway. By offering a weekly service with competitive transit times, PIL seeks to meet the increasing demand for reliable and timely shipping solutions in the region, driven by robust trade activities between China and South Asia.
PIL’s decision to introduce the CCE service is aligned with the company’s broader strategy to capitalize on the growing intra-Asia trade, which has been buoyed by rising economic integration and increased bilateral trade agreements. The new service is expected to cater to a wide range of industries, including textiles, electronics, and consumer goods, which are pivotal to the trade flows between China and Bangladesh.
In a statement, PIL highlighted the CCE service’s role in enhancing operational efficiency and providing customers with greater flexibility and improved supply chain reliability. The company also noted that the service will reduce congestion at key transhipment hubs by offering a direct route to Chittagong, thereby improving overall cargo handling and delivery times.
As part of its expansion plans, PIL has been actively investing in its fleet and service network to better serve the dynamic needs of the intra-Asia market. The launch of the CCE service follows other recent enhancements in PIL’s regional coverage, underscoring the company’s commitment to providing comprehensive and competitive shipping solutions across Asia.
Industry experts view PIL’s new service as a timely response to the evolving demands of the intra-Asia trade, where direct connectivity and efficient logistics solutions are increasingly critical to maintaining competitive advantage. The CCE service is expected to attract significant interest from shippers looking for reliable and cost-effective options to transport goods between China and Bangladesh.