MSC Group’s inland logistics arm Medlog is set to cut barge transportation tariffs by nearly 50% on Dhaka-linked routes, a move aimed at diverting cargo away from congested road corridors and strengthening Bangladesh’s inland waterway logistics network.
Industry sources said the revised pricing will apply to containerised cargo moving between Dhaka’s inland container depots (ICDs) and key river ports, improving the cost competitiveness of barge services vis-à-vis trucking. The initiative is expected to benefit exporters and importers by lowering inland haulage costs while also reducing transit time variability caused by chronic road congestion.
Medlog, which works closely with MSC’s ocean shipping services, has been expanding its multimodal footprint in South Asia, with a focus on integrating river transport into end-to-end supply chains. In Bangladesh, inland waterways play a critical role in connecting Dhaka with Chattogram Port, the country’s main maritime gateway, yet road transport continues to dominate container movement.
By sharply reducing barge fares, Medlog is seeking to accelerate modal shift toward waterways, which offer higher capacity, lower emissions and improved safety compared to road transport. Logistics experts note that increased barge utilisation could also ease pressure on highways leading to Chattogram, which frequently face bottlenecks, especially during peak export seasons.
The move aligns with broader government efforts in Bangladesh to promote inland water transport as a sustainable logistics solution. If successful, the pricing strategy could prompt other logistics operators to review their tariffs, potentially reshaping the country’s inland container transport market.
Medlog has not disclosed the timeline for implementation, but market participants expect the revised rates to come into effect in the near term, subject to operational readiness and customer uptake.