New direct service from Cochin port to West Asia

Cochin port on Thursday launched a new direct service to West Asia. With the introduction of the new service, the connectivity for export cargo to West Asia from Cochin has got a major boost, the Cochin Port Trust (CPT) said. The vessel - SSL Gujarat - with a capacity of 1,800 TEUs (23,000 tonnes) sails from Cochin non-stop to Jebel Ali and covers the distance of 1,780 nautical mile in five days.

The vessel commences from Kattuppalli on the east coast and touches Tuticorin before coming to Cochin port for its final onward voyage to Jebel Ali. The vessel is designed to carry 100 reefer containers and 150 DG (dangerous goods) containers. The service is operated by Shreyas Shipping Limited.

Meanwhile, Container Corporation of India (Concor) has started two container train services per week from Coimbatore and a weekly service from Bengaluru to Vallarpadam. The export from Bangalore and Coimbatore will be benefited by the direct voyage to West Asia, which till now was partly moving through Colombo. Vallarpadam now has three services to the West Asia. Shreyas Shipping said they planned to induct two more vessels into the service.