A new container service has been launched from the Visakha container terminal in the Vizag port from Tuesday. Another mainliner, CMA CGM group, after Maersk Line, has introduced the service.

The new service will directly connect the East Coast of India and the Far-East including South-East Asia. It will be on the Visakhapatnam-Portklang-Singapore-Busan-Quingdao-Shanghai and Shekou route.

5,500 TEU capacity

The Ocean Alliance is a consortium which provides China-India head-haul service named FME Service. The new service currently has world-class vessels with a capacity to handle 5,500 TEUs. The sixth vessel will be deployed soon for container loading and unloading at Visakha Container Terminal Private Ltd.

The new service will be beneficial for transportation of reefer cargo, ferro-alloys, aluminium ingots and heavy minerals.

“The service will not only provide both east and west-bound connectivity covering Asia and East India, Far East and other sectors but also offer the customers a competitive price. The availability of two main liners will also give a great advantage to the trade,” Visakhapatnam Port Chairman MT Krishna Babu said on the occasion. He said that the connectivity to Europe may be expected next year.

Vizag port Deputy Chairman PL Haranadh, VCTPL CEO Sushil Mulchandani and others promised Aniruddha Lele, head of India operations and Cargoflow of CMA-CGM patronage at a ceremony held on Tuesday to celebrate maiden call by mv CMA CGM Verdi.

Incentives

To prevent diversion of containers to Krishnapatnam port which is offering 80 per cent waiver in vessel related charges and other concessions, Visakhapatnam Port also announced several incentives in the last board meeting, he said.

He said VCTPL was also set to commence work on expansion at a cost of ₹633.11 crore in March once it achieved financial closure by February, 2018.

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