DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — Bangladesh and Pakistan are exploring plans to establish a direct maritime connection, including a passenger-and-cargo ferry service and a dedicated shipping line, in a move that could reshape limited trade links between the two South Asian countries.
The proposal emerged after talks in Islamabad between Pakistan’s Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Iqbal Hussain Khan. The meeting focused on restoring direct sea links between ports in both countries.
At present, most goods traded between the two countries are routed through third countries such as Singapore, Sri Lanka or the United Arab Emirates, increasing shipping time and costs. Officials involved in the discussions said a direct sea link could significantly reduce transit delays and improve supply chain efficiency for exporters and importers on both sides.
Bangladesh’s trade with Pakistan remains modest compared with its commerce with regional heavyweights such as India and China.
According to trade data from previous years, bilateral trade has hovered around several hundred million dollars annually — a fraction of Bangladesh’s overall export volume, which exceeds $50 billion globally. Analysts say logistics bottlenecks and limited direct connectivity have long constrained commercial growth.
The proposed ferry service would carry both passengers and cargo, potentially linking ports across the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Supporters argue that beyond trade, such a service could facilitate business travel and limited tourism, while symbolically signaling a shift toward pragmatic economic engagement.
Regional analysts note that any sustained improvement in maritime links would depend on commercial viability, port infrastructure readiness and political continuity in both capitals. Still, the renewed focus on direct shipping marks one of the most concrete efforts in years to translate diplomatic engagement into measurable economic cooperation.
