The Hindu Business Line : APL to launch direct service between JN port-Singapore

The proposed weekly service, to be known as Singapore Subcontinent Express (SSX), will provide direct connections to Singapore, Colombo and the Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal (NSICT) of the Jawaharlal Nehru port.

SSX, according to informed sources, is to deploy two vessels of 1,500-TEU capacity each and the port rotation will be Singapore-Colombo-NSICT-Singapore. SSX will connect APL's global network via its key hub in Singapore, the sources add, pointing out that the first sailing from Singapore is expected on March 3.

NSICT has been the gateway to the country's western and northern hinterland dotted with electronic and automobile units. China and north Asian manufacturers are suppliers to these units, which have stepped up their imports recently.

A section in the shipping circles expresses surprise at APL's decision to launch service from NSICT already hit by an acute congestion problem.

At any point of time, on an average 3,000 to 4,000 containers loaded with imports await evacuation out of the NSICT premises, also in turn causing accumulation of export containers at the levels of the inland container depots.

When contacted Mr Ian Claxton, Managing Director of APL India, replied that SSX was being launched in view of the demand for such a service.

"We already have a service, known as WAX, between Singapore and NSICT and we will replace it by SSX to provide a much better transit time", Mr Claxton observed.

As for the congestion problem at NSICT his view was "that's not our problem".

On the east coast, APL, it might be noted, also offers services to Singapore, once sailing every five days from Kolkata/Haldia and one sailing every week from Chennai/Visakhapatnam.