Container ship from Pakistan set to arrive at Chittagong port once more

A cargo vessel that departed from Karachi, Pakistan, last month is once again en route to Chittagong Port. In a historic development marking the first-ever direct maritime connection between the two nations, the vessel, MV Yuan Xiang Fa Zhan, made its initial arrival at Bangladesh’s primary port in the second week of November.

The vessel is expected to reach Chittagong Port on Friday, as confirmed by its local agent, who informed the port authorities of the schedule.

According to data from the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA), the ship is likely carrying 825 single containers. Upon arrival, these containers will be unloaded, and at least 1,200 single containers will be reloaded onto the vessel for its return journey. The exact figures will be verified once the vessel docks at the port.

During its first voyage in November, the vessel unloaded 370 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of import-laden single containers at Chittagong Port. Of these, 297 TEUs originated from Pakistan, while 73 TEUs were from the UAE. This time, the ship is carrying more than double the number of containers compared to its maiden trip. The specific contents of the containers are yet to be confirmed, pending the shipping company’s disclosure of the cargo manifest.

Shipping sources suggest that the cargo likely includes raw materials for garments, chemical products, and consumer goods—similar to the items imported during the vessel's previous trip. A total of 18 exporting companies from Pakistan are reported to have supplied the products for this shipment.

Dubai-based container shipping operator Feeder Lines DMCC launched this service in November, establishing a direct shipping route between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Regency Lines Limited, a subsidiary of Karnaphuli Limited, serves as Feeder Lines DMCC’s local agent in Bangladesh. Anis Ud Doula, managing director of Regency Lines, stated that the number of containers has increased significantly compared to the vessel’s inaugural voyage. The container vessel now operates on a regular route, traveling from the UAE to Chittagong via Karachi every 38 to 42 days. If the volume of cargo continues to rise, additional vessels may be introduced on this route.

When the service was launched, Feeder Lines DMCC announced plans to expand the route to include India’s Mundra Port, Indonesia’s Belawan, and Malaysia’s Port Klang. For its second voyage, however, the vessel departed from the UAE and is now heading to Chittagong via Karachi.

Data from the Marine Vessel Traffic website indicates that the vessel is currently near Sri Lanka. It departed from Karachi, Pakistan, with its final cargo load on 11 December.