DOHA: Milaha Maritime & Logistics, a subsidiary of the Qatar-based Milaha Group which delivers integrated transport and supply chain solutions in the GCC, has announced the launch of the first direct container service between Qatar and India. The non-Stop service will connect Doha port with India’s largest port Nhava Sheva, also known as Jawaharlal Nehru Port, located in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
The move will further facilitate the thriving trade activities between the two countries. Unlike existing services in the market, the new weekly service by Milaha will enable direct shipments between Nhava Sheva and Doha without the need for transshipment in Jebel Ali or elsewhere, thus increasing reliability and reducing transit time and costs, Milaha said in a regulatory filing with Qatar Exchange yesterday.
With an end of the week sailing, Indian exporters will benefit from a late cut-off providing more time to bring cargo into the port. With a reduced transit time, shipments of perishable products for the Qatari market will better retain freshness and quality. Moreover, the new service may open up for new perishable commodity segments which – due to previous transit time – were previously not an option.
Khalifa Ali Al Hetmi, President and CEO of Milaha, said: “We express our thanks to Jawaharlal Nehru Port for their support in reinforcing bilateral relations between Qatar and India that has gathered significant pace over the years. The launch of the service will support t he increasing trade volume, where imports into Qatar from India reached a total value of $989m in 2013-2014.”
The new service, which is named NDX, will not only bolster Milaha Maritime & Logistics’ feeder commitment to the Indian market, but also increase Milaha’s presence in non-vessel operating common carrier activities. In addition, the new non-stop service will strengthen the company’s existing feeder network with the UAE with more fixed connections.
Milaha Maritime & Logistics is a leading provider of comprehensive solutions in logistics and marine transport to the region’s biggest players in oil and gas and petrochem as well as shipping, importing and exporting companies.
