Transportation of Agricultural Products in Bangladesh A Comparative Analysis of Road and Inland Waterways

Abstract

Bangladesh’s agricultural supply chains are dominated by road freight, despite the country’s vast river network with strong potential for low-cost, low-carbon inland waterway transport (IWT). This study empirically compares road and waterway transport for agricultural deliveries to Dhaka from thirteen major supplying districts. A mixed-method approach was used, combining surveys of agricultural traders in Dhaka markets, supplementary travel-time surveys, expert interviews with the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), and secondary technical data on vehicles and vessels. The analysis examined cost per tonne, travel time under normal and disrupted conditions, and CO₂ emissions.

Results show that road transport can be cheaper for short distances but becomes increasingly costly with distance, whereas IWT maintains stable and lower long-distance costs. Regression analysis identified a statistically significant break-even point beyond which waterways are consistently more economical. Environmental modeling confirmed that IWT reduces per-tonne CO₂ emissions by 75–85% compared to road freight. While road haulage is faster under ideal conditions, its reliability is undermined by congestion, strikes, and flooding, whereas waterways provide steadier schedules. Trader perspectives further emphasized IWT’s practical benefits for bulk goods during disruptions.

Overall, findings support the conclusion that IWT is more cost-efficient, environmentally sustainable, and operationally reliable than road transport for long-haul agricultural supply chains. The study underscores the need for multimodal strategies integrating short-haul trucking with long-haul barging, alongside investments in dredging, ports, and cold-chain infrastructure to strengthen Bangladesh’s food security and logistics resilience.