PSA Mumbai has welcomed a new Far East service which will connect it with major Asain markets and ports, including the ports of Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Port Klang and Dalian.
The new service will be jointly operated by Wan Hai Lines, Interasia Lines, Sinokor Merchant Marine, Heung A Line and Feedertech, with the maiden vessel calling at PSA Mumbai on 12 December 2020.
The news reaffirms the importance of the Indian market to Chinese exporters and is a sign that trade growth across Asia has not abated, despite the region being badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
It will focus predominantly on transhipment container trade and has been in the planning stage since 2019 but delayed due to the pandemic.
Sivakumar Kaliannan, Managing Director, PSA Mumbai, said, “We are greatly appreciative of Wan Hai, Interasia Line, Sinokor, Heung-A and Feedertech for choosing to bring this service to PSA Mumbai.
“Launching a new service signals continuing confidence in India’s EXIM volume recovery: our throughput for the months of September, October and November 2020 have surpassed the same period last year.
“With more new services coming to PSA Mumbai in Q1 2021 and more new products to be rolled out, we are looking forward to continue increasing our role in facilitating India’s maritime trade in 2021.”
M.K Ko, owners representative, Sinokor Merchant Marine, also commeted, “With a short transit time ex China to India and vice versa, we have taken into consideration the Indian customers’ needs and requirements. Sinokor Group (Sinokor Merchant Marine and Heung-A) had been planning new services into India since 2019. Due to the pandemic, the launches were delayed.
“We thank PSA Mumbai for this wonderful event on the maiden call of Singapore Bridge and the inauguration of SIS service in India. Taking this opportunity, we would also like to thank all our customers, vendors, partners for their support to Sinokor Group.”