The Hindu Business Line : German liner secures West Asia, India service

RICKMERS-LINIE, the Hamburg-based shipping line and a member of the India/Pakistan/Bangladesh/Ceylon (IPBC) Conference, has secured tonnage for West Asia/ India service.

Three of its vessels, acquired on charter and earlier used on the round-the-world service, are to be deployed on the monthly liner service from Europe to West Asia and India. Accordingly, the shipping line has extended the charter parties of three vessels , namely, "Bibi", "Leon" and "Merida".

However, all the three vessels have been renamed while undergoing drydocking in Shanghai recently, according to informed sources. Thus, "Bibi" has been renamed "Rickmers Dubai", "Leon" has become "Rickmers Chennai" and "Merida" "Rickmers Mumbai". The first sailing of "Rickmers Dubai" from Hamburg and/or Antwerp is due in the first week of July.

The management of Rickmers-Linie feels that there will be a strong demand for the services following strong demand for the additional tonnage on the route in view of the substantial investments in infrastructure and other industries in both Gulf region and India.

It might be noted that the Shipping Corporation of India has an arrangement with the German line for bringing in break-bulk imports from Europe to west coast of India. The German line does not serve the east coast ports.