DP World, a significant player in logistics, has introduced a new weekly mainline service named 'SIG' at its International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) in Cochin, starting from December 7, 2023. Operated by ONE Line, this service aims to strengthen trade connections among India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Utilizing four vessels with a combined capacity of 2,800 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), the service facilitates direct connectivity between Southeast Asia and the Middle East, as per the company's announcement. Moreover, it provides access from Cochin to various destinations including the Far East, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, the United States West Coast, Canada, and vice versa.
Ravinder Johal, the Chief Operating Officer overseeing Ports and terminals at DP World in the Subcontinent and MENA region, emphasized that the introduction of the SIG service signifies a significant milestone in their ongoing efforts to fortify India's global trade connections. This groundbreaking initiative underscores their commitment to enhancing supply chain efficiency, creating direct trade routes, and stimulating economic growth. Johal highlighted that this service will open up new opportunities for businesses engaged in imports and exports across Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
The SIG service's itinerary encompasses Singapore, Nhava Sheva, Mundra, Dammam, Jebel Ali, Cochin, Colombo, and then loops back to Singapore. Its launch is positioned to enhance DP World Cochin's standing as a preferred gateway to southern India, offering enhanced connectivity to ports in Europe, the Mediterranean, China, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Presently, DP World Cochin manages nearly half of both inbound and outbound cargo, leading to quicker transit times, seamless connections, and improved cost-effectiveness for its customers.