The Hindu Business Line : Mediterranean Shipping adds S. Indian ports to global network

MEDITERRANEAN Shipping Company (MSC), the world's second largest container operator, has expanded its area of operations to connect south India to its global liner network. The ports of Chennai, Tuticorin and Kochi are scheduled to join its network on February 2.

As a prelude to the network expansion, its container vessel MSC Korea last week called at the Chennai Container Terminal (CCT) to discharge over 1,300 empty containers, according to a source.

The Geneva-based company globally operates 270 container vessels with an intake capacity of 7,50,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). The south Indian ports will initially be connected through common carrier feeders with whom MSC has tied up to tranship the boxes to its main line vessels in Colombo. Ex-Colombo, MSC will accept cargo for destinations such as the Red Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, North Africa, North-West Continent-UK, the Adriatic, West Africa, East and West coasts of South America, Mexico, US East Coast/Gulf and a few ports in the US Pacific.

Similarly, it will route all imports via Colombo from various ports of origin worldwide to south Indian markets — Kochi, Chennai and Tuticorin. MSC will accept cargo from all hinterland points in the region.MSC plans to extend the coverage to other ports on the east coast at a later date. It also proposes to operate its own feeders to connect to its main line vessels in Colombo or even bring in one of its main line service vessels to either Chennai or Kochi ports, the source said.

Industrial development, anticipated container growth and development of new container terminals in Chennai, Tuticorin and Kochi prompted MSC to add the Southern region to its global network, the source pointed out.

MSC has its own agency set-up in India, including offices in Kochi and Tuticorin. In Chennai, Samsara Shipping represents MSC. MSC offers four direct services from the West Coast of India to various global destinations.

In addition, ex-Mundra Gulf cargo is loaded on African vessels via Jebel Ali and Far East via Port Qasim to connect main line vessels. The Falcon service commenced operations in November 2005.