SCI, global players plan US service

National flag carrier, the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), has teamed up with leading international container shipping lines to start direct services to the US East Coast.

Industry sources said the consortium led by SCI will start operations from the third container terminal (Gateway Terminal of India) at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) by the last week of May.

The consortium partners are Israel-based shipping company Zim Integrated Shipping Services, French major CMA-CGM and Dubai-based shipping company Emirates Shipping.

"US is India's largest trading partner and plans are on to double it. This new direct service will bolster the shipments of textiles, electronic goods and other commodities," said a shipping industry analyst.

SCI Director Sudhir S Rangnekar was not available for comments. However, consortium partners confirmed the development and said the Indian company would provide two container ships to the proposed service.

"The details of the deal has not yet been finalised. But service will commence from the Gateway Terminals of India at JNPT," sources said.

Earlier, SCI had withdrawn from the Indamex (India-East Coat of the US) service owing to non-availability of vessels.

"The national flag carrier has already chartered two container vessels for this service. The carrier is awaiting approval from the government to acquire two 4,300 TEU (twenty foot equivalent units), container vessels for Rs 528 crore and two 5,000 TEU container vessels for Rs 616 crore," sources said.

The key players in the US routes include Maersk Sealand and other consortia led by American President Lines and CP Ships.

At present, SCI operates in three other consortium including ISES (Indian Subcontinent European Service) and Indfex I & II (India Far East Service).