Safmarine upgrades its Far East - Indian Subcontinent coverage

Safmarine has upgraded its existing Far East - Indian Subcontinent portfolio by introducing a new direct service, which will connect the Far East and main ports in West India and Pakistan. The service, which commences from February 17, 2011, will complement the line's existing range of services from Asia to the Indian Subcontinent, namely Chennai Express, Asia Gulf Service and FM3 Service. The service will be operated by Simatech, under a slot purchasing agreement.

Port rotation for the new direct Far East - Indian Subcontinent Service (FMX) is Xingang - Qingdao - Shanghai - Ningbo - Hong Kong - Singapore - Tanjung Pelepas - Port Klang - Nhava Sheva - Karachi - Colombo.

Mean while, Maersk said it will increase the size of ships deployed on its CHX service that links Shanghai to Chennai in future amid expectations that this market will grow.

The company's South China head Soren Karas said he sees cargo trade between China and India increasing one-fifth in 2011. At present Maersk Line operates the CHX service with four ships ranging in size between 2,800 TEU and 4,200 TEU.