Container transportation services to Indian west coast ports have received a shot in the arm with major box operators Maersk and Emirates Shipping Line upgrading their services to Middle East Gulf destinations, and further improving connectivity between China and India.
From June 7, Maersk will be introducing higher capacity vessels on its weekly Europe/Middle East (ME3) service that has a stop at the Jawaharlal Nehru port at Nhava Sheva. Vessels of 6,250 teu capacity will replace the present 5,500 teu vessels on the route in phases. The Danish carrier will also add an extra vessel on the route.
“The process of induction of the larger vessels is to be completed within four weeks,” a senior Maersk executive said. “Also, the port of Tangiers will be the additional port of call on the ME3 service to facilitate connection to ports in the Mediterranean and Africa.”
Meanwhile, ESL’s Hyper Galex II service has, from May 20, started calling at Port Pipavav, with direct connections linking North China, India and the Middle East. Six vessels in the 2,500-3,100 teu range will serve this route.
“Now that there is a fixed-day weekly sailing from Pipavav, we are able to provide shippers from Gujarat and North-west India with direct connections to ports in China and the Arabian Gulf,” said Port Pipavav’s chief commercial officer, Ashley Dinning.
“The Hyper Galex II service provides direct connections with the rapidly growing trading and commercial centres in Northern China and the Middle East. It is a welcome addition to the services touching Port Pipavav,” he said.
Another service to offer a direct connection between China and India is the recently launched India China Service, which is operated jointly by TSK Line, Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai Merchant Marine and Regional Container Line.
The service also covers Singapore and Malaysia with five vessels of 2,700-teu each, on a 35-day round trip with fixed day weekly sailing
From June 7, Maersk will be introducing higher capacity vessels on its weekly Europe/Middle East (ME3) service that has a stop at the Jawaharlal Nehru port at Nhava Sheva. Vessels of 6,250 teu capacity will replace the present 5,500 teu vessels on the route in phases. The Danish carrier will also add an extra vessel on the route.
“The process of induction of the larger vessels is to be completed within four weeks,” a senior Maersk executive said. “Also, the port of Tangiers will be the additional port of call on the ME3 service to facilitate connection to ports in the Mediterranean and Africa.”
Meanwhile, ESL’s Hyper Galex II service has, from May 20, started calling at Port Pipavav, with direct connections linking North China, India and the Middle East. Six vessels in the 2,500-3,100 teu range will serve this route.
“Now that there is a fixed-day weekly sailing from Pipavav, we are able to provide shippers from Gujarat and North-west India with direct connections to ports in China and the Arabian Gulf,” said Port Pipavav’s chief commercial officer, Ashley Dinning.
“The Hyper Galex II service provides direct connections with the rapidly growing trading and commercial centres in Northern China and the Middle East. It is a welcome addition to the services touching Port Pipavav,” he said.
Another service to offer a direct connection between China and India is the recently launched India China Service, which is operated jointly by TSK Line, Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai Merchant Marine and Regional Container Line.
The service also covers Singapore and Malaysia with five vessels of 2,700-teu each, on a 35-day round trip with fixed day weekly sailing