The Role of Third-Party Logistics (3PL) In Modern Supply Chain in Bangladesh

Abstract

Third-Party Logistics (3PL) operators have now become indispensable to Bangladeshi trade competitiveness, supporting the nation’s export, particularly in ready-made garments (RMG) and driving the meteoric growth of e-commerce in Bangladesh. This analysis consolidates literature (2015–2025), sectoral data and industry cases to build from what is known of how 3PLs add value, where obstacles remain (infrastructure, regulatory fragmentation, skills, technology adoption) and what policy-industry actions might release performance. The analysis reveals that despite a positive relative trajectory in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index 2023, there is still momentum behind Bangladesh, but enduring bottlenecks, congestion at ports, variability in warehouse quality and reliability of last-mile delivery, still drive-up costs and risks for logistics. In that context, targeted recommendations include to (i) fast-track multimodal integration and port/dry port throughputs, (ii) introduce a national 3PL accreditation framework with service level KPIs, (iii) scale digital logistics platforms around visibility, e-POD, slot booking, (iv) surge cold chain for agrifood/pharma and other sectors of strategic value and finally, (v) invest in skilling the workforce on transport management as well as WMS/TMS & data analytics. A policy and industry roadmap toward higher service quality, greater resiliency and more inclusive market access is presented at the end of the report.