India and Middle East ever more popular
Maersk has introduced a new maritime service to meet rising demand for transport links between India and the Gulf Markets.
The Shaheen Express calls the ports of Mundra, Pipavav, Jebel Ali, Dammam, and Jebel Ali and back to Mundra, connecting India, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. Two vessels with a nominal capacity of 1,700 teu each are deployed on a weekly basis.
The India-UAE comprehensive economic partnership agreement (Cepa) entered into force in May 2022, resulting in an increase of trade between the two countries.
The main commodities are FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) such as electronics, perishables such as foodstuff, retail goods including textile and apparel, and chemicals. Sealead, OOCL and TS Lines also started an India - UAE to East Africa service just recently. (sh)