## Company Profile UNIQUE LOGISTICS LTD (ULLBD) — freight forwarder based in Bangladesh. Public web listing (ullbd.com / forwarderspages entry) shows ULL as a local NVOCC/forwarder handling sea and air freight, customs clearance, inland transport and warehousing for exporters and importers. Typical customer base for Bangladesh forwarders of this size: RMG manufacturers (knit & woven), footwear/leather exporters, seafood/shrimp processors, and importers of fabrics, yarns and accessories. Scale: no public annual TEU data located; positioned as a local/regional forwarder serving Chattogram/Mongla gateways and acting as a conduit between factories and ocean carriers/feeder networks. ## Pain Points 1) Container availability & demurrage risk for RMG clients — 2025–26 RMG export weakness (−3–4% value) combined with episodic Chattogram yard congestion, labour stoppages and rail bottlenecks creates intermittent shortages of specific container types and spikes in demurrage/storage costs. That translates into urgent booking pain for forwarders and frustrated exporters who demand guaranteed liftings and faster empty evacuations. 2) Import reliability for fabric/yarn/raw materials — many woven/MMF garment lines depend on imported fabric from China/India. Procurement delays, shifting sourcing origins and inventory correction at factories produce urgent, non-standard sourcing requests that forwarders must solve quickly (alternative origins, split shipments, air+sea combos). 3) Reefer/cold‑chain & niche commodity handling — shrimp/seafood and leather/footwear exports require specialist handling (reefer plugs, certification, timely cross‑border clearance). Smaller forwarders often lack bundled buyer‑matching and market‑access channels to convert these niche exporters into reliable, higher‑margin accounts. ## Intel Summary === MULTI-DIMENSION RESEARCH === === 1. [MARKET EVENTS] – Bangladesh Export Trends 2026 (RMG, Shrimp, Textiles, Leather) and Impact on Container Volumes / Destinations === **1.1 Overall merchandise and RMG export performance FY 2025–26 (so far)** - Merchandise exports reached **US$31.91bn** in July–February FY 2025–26, up **2.27% YoY** from US$31.20bn in the same period of FY 2024–25.([bssnews.net](https://www.bssnews.net/business/365249?utm_source=openai)) - RMG continues to dominate exports: - EPB/BGMEA data and recent summaries indicate RMG accounts for **~80–81% of total export earnings** in FY 2025–26. A recent infographic based on EPB data shows **US$31.7bn RMG exports** vs **US$39.4bn total exports** in July–April FY 2025–26, giving **80.5% share**.([reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/BangladeshMedia/comments/1t7p4xe/inforgraph_top_nonrmg_export_earners_of/?utm_source=openai)) - RMG growth has softened in FY 2025–26: - **July–December FY 2025–26:** RMG exports **US$19.37bn**, down **2.63% YoY**. Knitwear -3.22% YoY; woven -1.91% YoY.([textilefocus.com](https://textilefocus.com/rmg-exports-stood-at-3-23bn-reflecting-an-14-23-in-december/?utm_source=openai)) - **July–February FY 2025–26:** RMG exports **US$25.80bn**, down **3.73% YoY**; knitwear **US$13.69bn (-4.56%)**, woven **US$12.11bn (-2.74%)**.([textilefocus.com](https://textilefocus.com/rmg-exports-in-february-stood-2-82bn-eflecting-an-13-21-decline/?utm_source=openai)) **Container-volume implication:** - Global container market report (South Asia, 2026) states that **RMG accounts for >80% of containerised exports** from Bangladesh, with **~2.77m TEUs** of RMG shipped in FY 2024–25. Total exports in FY 2024–25 reached **US$48.28bn (+8.6% YoY)**, driven largely by garments.([containersindia.in](https://containersindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CA-Final-Market-Report-2026.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - With RMG values down ~3–4% in FY 2025–26 so far, containerised export volumes in 2026 are likely **flat to slightly negative** relative to FY 2024–25, assuming similar average FOB values per TEU. **1.2 Export destinations and mix (RMG/textiles)** - Bangladesh remains the **world’s #2 garment exporter after China**.([bdpolicylab.com](https://bdpolicylab.com/publications/rmg_flagship?utm_source=openai)) - Three markets (EU, US, UK) still account for **~80% of garment export revenue**, leaving high concentration risk.([bdpolicylab.com](https://bdpolicylab.com/publications/rmg_flagship?utm_source=openai)) - Recent country‑wise EPB/BGMEA data (through early 2026): - **US:** RMG exports (Feb 2025–Jan 2026) **US$7.54bn**, a share of **~26–27%** of total RMG exports to major markets; YoY decline reflecting US demand slowdown.([dailynewnation.com](https://dailynewnation.com/news/803107?utm_source=openai)) - **EU (including Germany, Spain, France, Netherlands, Italy):** Aggregate EU share has softened slightly, with **negative growth (-3% to -7%)** across key EU markets in FY 2024–25 into early FY 2025–26.([bgmea.com.bd](https://www.bgmea.com.bd/page/Export_Performance?utm_source=openai)) - **UK & Canada:** UK remains a top-3 market; Canada RMG imports from Bangladesh for Feb 2025–Jan 2026 were **US$784m**, with **+4.4% YoY growth**, bucking the overall downward trend.([dailynewnation.com](https://dailynewnation.com/news/803107?utm_source=openai)) - Emerging destinations within Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East (e.g., Japan, India, Korea, UAE, Chile) are highlighted by policy and industry reports as target diversification markets, but still represent a **minority of export volumes** versus EU/US/UK.([bdpolicylab.com](https://bdpolicylab.com/publications/rmg_flagship?utm_source=openai)) **Container/export-routing implication:** - The concentration of RMG exports into EU and US implies that the **majority of Bangladesh’s export TEUs are still on FE–EU and FE–NA east‑west lanes**, largely via regional hub ports (Colombo, Singapore, Port Klang) given draft limits at Chattogram.([containersindia.in](https://containersindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CA-Final-Market-Report-2026.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Growth in Canada and continued demand from “non‑traditional” markets offers **incremental diversification**, but **not yet enough to materially re-balance container flows** away from the main EU/US lanes.([dailynewnation.com](https://dailynewnation.com/news/803107?utm_source=openai)) **1.3 Leather and footwear exports** - EPB/Bangladesh Bank data show leather and leather products as a **mid‑tier export earner**: in FY 2023–24, leather and leather products (including leather footwear) generated around **US$1.1–1.2bn**, with leather footwear alone **~US$544m (+21.5% YoY)**.([epb.gov.bd](https://epb.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/epb.portal.gov.bd/annual_reports/02d93ed0_3389_4011_9c1e_27da091764c7/2025-01-29-11-53-50e5e29be28bb2544c594d54bd4c3d6d.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - A 2026 Bangladesh Journal article on the footwear industry notes: - Non‑leather footwear exports have shown **strong double‑digit growth** in FY 2024–25, partially offsetting more volatile leather exports.([bjournal.net](https://bjournal.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Janu2026-MG-ISSN.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - For container traffic, leather and footwear: - Represent **a small share of total box volumes compared to RMG**, but are important for **product diversification**, especially on EU lanes where Bangladeshi footwear competes with Vietnam and Cambodia.([containersindia.in](https://containersindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CA-Final-Market-Report-2026.pdf?utm_source=openai)) **1.4 Shrimp and seafood exports** - Non‑RMG infographics and trade‑flow analysis show **seafood (shrimp, fish) and frozen foods** as notable non‑RMG containerised exports, but **far smaller than garments**.([containersindia.in](https://containersindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CA-Final-Market-Report-2026.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Key developments affecting volumes: - Bangladesh is in the midst of **transitioning from traditional black tiger shrimp (P. monodon) to vannamei** to regain competitiveness against India and Vietnam; policy approvals for commercial vannamei culture have been phased in across 2024–2025, with **volumes expected to ramp from 2026 onward**.([containersindia.in](https://containersindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CA-Final-Market-Report-2026.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Short‑term shrimp export volumes in 2024–25 were **stagnant or declining**, contributing only a **single‑digit percentage share** in total exports versus RMG’s ~80%.([bssnews.net](https://www.bssnews.net/business/347781?utm_source=openai)) **Container/export-destination implication (shrimp/leather)** - **Shrimp/seafood:** Primarily refrigerated (reefer) TEUs to **EU, US, and Japan**; overall **reefer volumes are modest** compared to dry containers for apparel, but they do **add complexity** (reefer plug demand, cold‑chain handling) at Chattogram.([containersindia.in](https://containersindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CA-Final-Market-Report-2026.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - **Leather/footwear:** Containerised exports largely to **EU and US** footwear buyers; they **slightly diversify commodity mix** on these lanes, but do not significantly alter headline trade-lane capacity decisions currently dominated by RMG.([containersindia.in](https://containersindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CA-Final-Market-Report-2026.pdf?utm_source=openai)) **1.5 2026 container‑market view for Bangladesh exports** - The 2026 South Asia Container Market Report highlights:([containersindia.in](https://containersindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CA-Final-Market-Report-2026.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - RMG share of containerised exports **>80%**, **2.77m TEU** in FY 2024–25. - Jute, leather, seafood, pharma, bicycles, and other products provide **incremental TEUs but remain collectively <20%** of containerised exports. - Export growth in FY 2024–25 (+8.6% YoY in value) contrasted with softer volumes and lower freight rates; by early 2026, **weak demand in Europe and North America plus global vessel overcapacity** are resulting in: - **Lower freight rates ex‑Chattogram** compared to 2021–22 peaks. - Carriers **rationalising feeder capacity** on some routes, which can magnify the impact of even small swings in export booking volumes from the RMG sector. **Takeaways for 2026:** - **RMG softness (~3–4% export value decline) is the primary drag on container exports** in FY 2025–26 so far. - **Shrimp and leather growth are not yet large enough to offset RMG fluctuations** in aggregate TEU terms. - Export destinations remain **highly concentrated in EU/US/UK**, so container volumes and rate evolution remain tightly linked to **consumer demand and retail inventory cycles in those markets**. === 2. [DEMAND SIGNALS] – Bangladesh Imports of Fabric/Raw Materials, Sourcing from China & India, Nearshoring & Origin Switching (2025–26) === **2.1 Import dependence and backward linkages** - Recent RMG & textile sector analysis (April 2026) gives the clearest current breakdown:([bdpolicylab.com](https://bdpolicylab.com/publications/rmg_textile_brief?utm_source=openai)) - **Knitwear:** ~**90% backward linkage** – most yarn, fabric, dyeing and finishing done domestically. - **Woven garments:** only **~40% backward linkage** – **majority of woven fabric is imported**, mainly from **China and India**. - Policy and industry papers emphasise that Bangladesh remains **highly dependent on imported textile raw materials** (cotton, MMF, yarn, fabrics, dyes, chemicals), especially for woven and MMF‑based products.([bjournal.net](https://bjournal.net/rebalancing-the-yarn-equation-in-bangladesh/?utm_source=openai)) **2.2 Recent trends in fabric/yarn/raw material imports (2025–early 2026)** - Indian‑Apparel (Jan 31, 2026) reports:([indian-apparel.com](https://www.indian-apparel.com/apparel-and-textile-news/bangladesh-fabric-and-yarn-import/?utm_source=openai)) - **Bangladesh fabric & yarn imports fell 3.2% in 2025**, as mills and apparel exporters moderated raw‑material procurement amid: - Softer export orders. - Inventory correction at garment factories. - Volatile global demand and fibre prices. - Industry expectations are for **stabilisation or modest recovery in 2026** as retail orders start to recover and brands resume longer‑term commitments. - A January 2026 analysis of Bangladesh’s yarn equation notes:([bjournal.net](https://bjournal.net/rebalancing-the-yarn-equation-in-bangladesh/?utm_source=openai)) - Many spinning mills are **operating below optimal utilisation**, hurting competitiveness vs imported yarn/fabrics. - There are ongoing **policy distortions around bonded warehouse yarn/fabric** meant for export that leak into the domestic market, undercutting local spinners. **2.3 Source-country patterns: China vs India and others** - USITC’s recent assessment of Bangladesh’s textile raw‑material imports shows (for cotton and related inputs, up to 2023 but used by 2026 policy work):([usitc.gov](https://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/pub5543.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Top cotton suppliers to Bangladesh in 2023: - **India: 25.9%** of cotton imports. - **Brazil: 18.3%**. - Other key suppliers include the US and several African origins. - BDPolicy Lab (2026 RMG/Textile brief) and textile industry commentary summarise the **fabric/yarn source structure** as:([bdpolicylab.com](https://bdpolicylab.com/publications/rmg_textile_brief?utm_source=openai)) - **China:** Dominant supplier of **woven fabric and MMF fabrics**, reflecting China’s global share (~44% of world fabric exports by 2022) and deep integrated value chain.([texfash.com](https://texfash.com/special/the-sourcing-story-industry-rewrote-its-geography-without-rewriting-its-dependence?utm_source=openai)) - **India:** Second‑tier but rising supplier for cotton yarn, fabrics, and some MMF categories; seen as the **“default diversification hub”** for buyers needing scale + variety outside China.([fibre2fashion.com](https://www.fibre2fashion.com/market-intelligence/texpro-textile-and-apparel/textile-guide/11399/where-global-buyers-source-yarn?utm_source=openai)) - **Others:** Pakistan, Turkey, Korea, and Indonesia supply more niche or specialised fabrics. - A 2026 article on imported yarn/fabric use reports that, according to industry sources:([tbsnews.net](https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/rmg/why-bangladeshs-rmg-turns-imported-yarn-fabrics-despite-local-supply-1047421?utm_source=openai)) - For some knitwear/value‑added segments, **local sourcing has fallen from ~50% to ~30%** within about a year as factories opt increasingly for imported yarn/fabrics (India, China) due to cost, quality consistency, and lead‑time considerations. **2.4 Nearshoring & buyer sourcing‑origin shifts (global vs Bangladesh)** - Global sourcing‑strategy research (April 2026) finds:([texfash.com](https://texfash.com/special/the-sourcing-story-industry-rewrote-its-geography-without-rewriting-its-dependence?utm_source=openai)) - Apparel assembly has **diversified away from China**; **Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia** are major beneficiaries. - However, **China’s share of global fabric exports actually rose to ~44% by 2022**, so the fabric‑stage dependence on China has **not fallen in line with garment nearshoring**. - An AmCham/US and trade‑data analysis (2025) shows US apparel imports increasingly balanced among **China, Vietnam, Bangladesh**, with Bangladesh’s US share around **7–8%** in 2023–25, up from earlier years, confirming **rising buyer reliance on Bangladesh as a cut‑and‑sew location**.([amchambd.org](https://www.amchambd.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/AmCham-Fortnightly-Economic-Digest-3rd-Edition-April-01-15-2025.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - A 2025–26 case study on a “38% apparel sourcing switch” (China → Bangladesh) for a North American buyer illustrates:([cantotrade.ca](https://www.cantotrade.ca/downloads/case-study-bangladesh-apparel-2025.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Ex‑factory unit cost dropped from **US$6.50 (China) to US$4.00 (Bangladesh)** – a **38.5% cost saving**. - The buyer moved fabric closer to Bangladesh and shifted some yarn‑sourcing patterns, but still relied substantially on **Chinese and Indian mills for fabrics**. **Interpretation for 2026 demand signals:** - **Buyers are clearly shifting garment assembly to Bangladesh**, but **not yet fully shifting fabric production** away from China; India is the primary diversification destination for yarn/fabric sourcing, not a full replacement.([texfash.com](https://texfash.com/special/the-sourcing-story-industry-rewrote-its-geography-without-rewriting-its-dependence?utm_source=openai)) - For Bangladesh import demand: - 2025’s **3.2% decline in fabric/yarn imports** suggests a **temporary demand dip** linked to weak export orders, not structural de‑industrialisation.([indian-apparel.com](https://www.indian-apparel.com/apparel-and-textile-news/bangladesh-fabric-and-yarn-import/?utm_source=openai)) - If export orders pick up in late 2026–27, imports of fabrics & yarn from **China and India** are likely to **re‑accelerate**, given the current limited domestic woven/MMF capacity.([fibre2fashion.com](https://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/11374/changing-threads-of-global-textile-power-bangladesh-s-opportunities-and-risks?utm_source=openai)) - Shipping/logistics implication: - **Strong two‑way container flows** on China/India ↔ Bangladesh corridors: - **Inbound TEUs:** fabrics, yarn, accessories, machinery. - **Outbound TEUs:** finished garments + some non‑RMG products.([containersindia.in](https://containersindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CA-Final-Market-Report-2026.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - This structural two‑way trade supports **relatively balanced equipment repositioning** compared to many other export‑heavy markets, but short‑term import dips (like 2025’s) can **temporarily tighten container availability for exports** if carriers reposition fewer empties into Bangladesh. **2.5 Are buyers “switching origins” away from Bangladesh?** - There is **no strong evidence in 2025–26 that global buyers are exiting Bangladesh** due to nearshoring; rather: - Nearshoring into Turkey, Eastern Europe, or Mexico remains **limited by cost gaps**; Bangladesh retains a **unit‑cost advantage**, confirmed by comparative studies showing labour and ex‑factory cost differentials.([tbsnews.net](https://www.tbsnews.net/features/panorama/why-rmg-nearshoring-never-posed-real-threat-bangladeshi-manufacturers-785010?utm_source=openai)) - Instead, brands are adopting **multi‑country portfolios** where Bangladesh holds a significant or rising share alongside Vietnam and others.([texfash.com](https://texfash.com/special/the-sourcing-story-industry-rewrote-its-geography-without-rewriting-its-dependence?utm_source=openai)) - The key strategic shift is **within Bangladesh’s own sourcing**: - More factories are **importing yarn/fabric (India, China) rather than buying from local mills**, especially for fashion or MMF‑heavy orders, to **shorten lead times** and ensure quality/spec compliance.([bjournal.net](https://bjournal.net/rebalancing-the-yarn-equation-in-bangladesh/?utm_source=openai)) === 3. [PROBLEM FRAMING] – Chittagong/Chattogram Port Congestion 2026, Container Availability, Freight Rates, and Role of Mongla/Kolkata/Transshipment === **3.1 Current congestion status at Chittagong (Chittagong) port in 2026** - **Operational performance & growth:** - In 2025, Chittagong port achieved **4.07% growth in container handling**, **11.43% in cargo**, and **10.50% in ship calls**, despite various disruptions.([container-news.com](https://container-news.com/chittagong-port-sees-4-07-growth-in-box-handling/?utm_source=openai)) - From Jan–Oct 2025, the port handled **~2.85m+ TEUs** and ~**11.5m tonnes of cargo**, with **3,552 ships**, higher than the previous year.([bssnews.net](https://www.bssnews.net/news/335555?utm_source=openai)) - **Zero waiting time – but with caveats:** - By late Nov 2025, CPA reported **“zero waiting time”** at anchorage – vessels getting berth on arrival – and this benchmark was **regained by March 29, 2026**, after earlier disruptions.([bssnews.net](https://www.bssnews.net/news/335555?utm_source=openai)) - However, **January–February 2026** saw serious disruptions: - A **labor strike in early Feb 2026** brought container operations to a near standstill, with **average vessel waiting times rising to ~2.7 days** and significant backlog at yards.([shippingintelligencehub.com](https://www.shippingintelligencehub.com/article/chittagong-port-labor-strike-cripples-bangladesh-container-flows-as-congestion-reaches-27-day-average-wait?utm_source=openai)) **3.2 Hinterland congestion, rail and empty‑container issues** - A May 8, 2026 report on Chattogram Goods Port Yard (rail-linked) describes:([tbsnews.net](https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/infrastructure/strained-rail-capacity-leaves-ctg-port-yard-overflowing-1363611?utm_source=openai)) - Yard capacity **825 containers**, but **1,352 containers** stacked (164% of capacity) after recent labour unrest. - Chronic **shortage of freight containers, locomotives, and railway staff**, causing: - Delays in moving boxes inland. - Additional port charges for importers/exporters. - Earlier, in August 2025, Chattogram port yards were **overburdened with empties**: - **7,158 TEUs of empty containers** vs yard capacity of **5,500 TEUs**. - Escalating storage (demurrage) rates from **US$6/TEU/day (first 7 days)** up to **US$24/TEU/day after day 20** created cost pressure and incentivised faster empty evacuation.([thedailystar.net](https://www.thedailystar.net/business/economy/news/ctg-port-overburdened-empty-containers-3957986?utm_source=openai)) **Container availability framing:** - **Export empties:** Periods of high exports with slow empty evacuation (e.g., mid‑2025) created **yard congestion and potential shortages of specific container types** for exporters.([thedailystar.net](https://www.thedailystar.net/business/economy/news/ctg-port-overburdened-empty-containers-3957986?utm_source=openai)) - **Import congestion:** In early 2026, labour‑related stoppages plus constrained rail capacity caused **import‑heavy yard congestion**, slowing the repositioning of boxes back to export stacks and inland depots.([tbsnews.net](https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/infrastructure/strained-rail-capacity-leaves-ctg-port-yard-overflowing-1363611?utm_source=openai)) - Systemically, the port handles **>70% of Bangladesh’s trade** and remains **capacity‑tight**, with limited buffer for shocks.([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_Chittagong?utm_source=openai)) **3.3 Freight rates ex‑Bangladesh in 2026 context** - The 2026 South Asia Container Market Report notes that:([containersindia.in](https://containersindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CA-Final-Market-Report-2026.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - After the 2021–22 spike, **container freight rates from South Asia (incl. Bangladesh) to EU/US have normalised and, in many corridors, fallen below long‑run averages**, due to global vessel overcapacity. - However, **operational disruptions at Chattogram (e.g., strikes, yard congestion) and Red Sea diversions** occasionally cause: - **Short‑term GRIs and surcharges** for Bangladesh shipments. - Extended transit times, especially when carriers re‑route via Cape of Good Hope or adjust feeder schedules. - Export shippers from Bangladesh therefore face a **dual reality in 2026**: - **Base spot rates are lower** than crisis levels, but - **Reliability is weaker**, and **effective landed cost** can rise due to: - Storage/demurrage at Chattogram (for boxes stuck in yard). - Feeder schedule cuts or rolled bookings in weeks following disruptions.([hapag-lloyd.com](https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/pt/services-information/offices-localinfo/local-news/2025/07/update-on-port-congestion-in-chittagong--bangladesh.html?utm_source=openai)) **3.4 Role of Mongla and Kolkata / transshipment dynamics** - **Mongla Port as an alternative:** - Mongla is explicitly attracting traffic **due to congestion at Chittagong**, with several international lines using it as an alternate gateway.([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_Mongla?utm_source=openai)) - India obtained rights to operate a terminal at Mongla in **July 2024**, improving its attractiveness for regional trade and potentially enabling **more efficient Indo‑Bangla coastal and transshipment services** in the medium term.([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_Mongla?utm_source=openai)) - Current container volumes at Mongla remain **small vs Chattogram**, but incremental diversions (especially bulk, some project and niche container flows) help relieve pressure on Chattogram and create routing options (e.g., for south‑west Bangladesh industries).([containersindia.in](https://containersindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CA-Final-Market-Report-2026.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - **Kolkata (and other regional hubs) for transshipment:** - Due to draft constraints, Chattogram is primarily served by **feeder vessels** connecting to **hub ports** (Colombo, Singapore, Port Klang, and, to a lesser extent, Kolkata/Haldia).([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_Chittagong?utm_source=openai)) - For some Bangladesh‑India cross‑border and regional cargo, **Kolkata/Haldia** functions as a **transshipment and gateway port**, especially when: - Chattogram’s congestion risk is perceived as high. - Coastal shipping and river routes offer competitive alternatives.([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_Mongla?utm_source=openai)) - But for deep‑sea long‑haul container flows (to EU/US), **Colombo and Singapore remain the dominant hubs**; Kolkata is more relevant for **sub‑regional trade** and **short‑sea movements**.([containersindia.in](https://containersindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CA-Final-Market-Report-2026.pdf?utm_source=openai)) **3.5 Structural constraints and medium‑term fixes (problem framing)** - Academic/technical work on Bangladesh’s freight system (March 2026) highlights:([sciencedirect.com](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590198226000631?utm_source=openai)) - **Insufficient freight infrastructure** (nodes and modes) and lack of a **national logistics policy**. - Poor integration between port, road, rail, and inland waterways; need for **synchromodal solutions** to reduce dwell times and freight costs. - DHL’s 2026 garment export guide for Bangladesh points to **“Logistics Mega‑Projects”** like the **Matarbari Deep Sea Port (target late 2026)** as critical to:([dhl.com](https://www.dhl.com/discover/en-bd/e-commerce-advice/e-commerce-sector-guides/tips-for-garment-export-from-bangladesh?utm_source=openai)) - Reducing dependence on regional hub ports. - Enabling **direct mainline calls** and more stable export costs. **Summarised problem framing for 2026:** 1. **Short‑term volatility:** - Labour unrest (early 2026), rail capacity limits, and empty‑box imbalances cause **episodic yard congestion and 2–3‑day vessel waits**, despite official claims of “zero waiting time.” 2. **Structural constraints:** - Chattogram handles **>70% of national trade**, is draft‑constrained, and relies on limited hinterland rail and inland‑depot capacity. 3. **Cost impacts:** - Shippers face **lower ocean base rates** but **higher inland & port‑side frictions**, including demurrage, storage, and schedule unreliability. 4. **Mitigation via alternative gateways & transshipment:** - Mongla and, to a smaller extent, Kolkata/Haldia offer **partial relief and redundancy**, especially for specific regions and cargo types. 5. **Medium‑term solution space:** - **Deep‑sea capacity (Matarbari)** plus **integrated, synchromodal inland logistics** are essential to: - Stabilise container availability. - Support higher export TEU volumes from RMG, leather, and emerging sectors like shrimp and pharma. Sources: • Merchandise exports during July-Feb FY26 reached $31.91b | Business https://www.bssnews.net/business/365249?utm_source=openai • Inforgraph: Top non-RMG export earners of Bangladesh in FY26 (July-April) https://www.reddit.com/r/BangladeshMedia/comments/1t7p4xe/inforgraph_top_nonrmg_export_earners_of/?utm_source=openai • RMG exports stood at $3.23bn, reflecting an -14.23% in December https://textilefocus.com/rmg-exports-stood-at-3-23bn-reflecting-an-14-23-in-december/?utm_source=openai ... (full source list present in original search output)