Danish shipping and logistic company AP Moller-Maersk (Maersk) has launched a new ocean shipping service between China and Bangladesh to meet the rising trade demand, particularly in the retail sector.

The new service, named SH3, began operations on July 7, significantly enhancing capacity in the oceanic network connecting the two nations, according to a statement from Maersk released on Monday.

The SH3 route originated from Shanghai Port in China, making stops at Xiamen, Kaohsiung, Nansha and Tanjung Pelepas before reaching Chittagong, Bangladesh.

On its return journey to Shanghai Port, SH3 includeed a call at Tanjung Pelepas, a pivotal hub for long-haul routes to Europe, the statement added.

Maersk highlighted that the introduction of SH3 complemented its existing SH1, SH2, and IA7 services between China and Bangladesh.

Adjustments to SH1 and SH2 have been made to further optimize the service offerings.

Together, these services expanded coverage in China, providing multiple loading options throughout the week from Shanghai, Nansha, and Ningbo, offering more direct shipping routes to Bangladesh.

The expanded service options in terms of transit times and frequencies provided customers with increased capacity, flexibility, and efficiency in their supply chains.

This is crucial in an industry where timely delivery across the entire supply chain is paramount to meet rapidly evolving customer expectations, especially in the retail sector.

Wen Bing Lim, Regional Head of Intra-Asia Market at Maersk, said ‘The demand for textiles and garments from Bangladesh in the Western markets is constantly growing. Our customers have been demanding more capacity for raw materials coming into Bangladesh and readymade garments getting exported.’

Lim further noted that the redesigned network enabled textile manufacturers in Bangladesh to enhance flexibility and speed in importing raw materials and exporting finished goods, thereby supporting the country’s burgeoning Readymade Garment (RMG) industry.

Nikhil D’Lima, Head of Maersk in Bangladesh, underscored the significance of textile exports from China to Bangladesh, highlighting Bangladesh’s RMG sector, which encompassed over four thousand factories catering to more than 100 international clothing brands.

D’Lima added that Bangladesh exports a diverse range of knitwear and woven garments—including shirts, trousers, T-shirts, denim, jackets and sweaters—to over 150 countries worldwide.