Sima Marine, a subsidiary of Dubai-based Simatech Shipping, one of the largest container feeder servicing companies in the world operating 54 ships, has launched coastal container shipping services in India.
Image: Simatech
The services cover four major ports of Cochin, Mundra, Goa and Mangalore. CF George, managing director of Simatech Shipping Dubai and Sima Marine India, said the company saw good growth potential on Indian coasts untapped for a very long time.
“We believe a consistent service with competitive rates can attract more coastal cargo movement which is now moving by road,” George told reporters here.
“India government is promoting coastal container movement by offering incentives. By shifting cargo movement to the sea from the road, it not only helps decongest highways and reduce pollution but provides cost-effective trade and safe and fast service.”
For the exclusive coastal service operations in the country, the Indian subsidiary has also acquired two 1500-teu container vessels, Sima Godavari and Sima Narmada, which are already in operation. These ships are now sailing with Indian flag to work within the cabotage law.
The Dubai-based shipping major has an already growing presence in India for its international operations. Currently, Simatech is operating nine services out of India. Their regular services are calling Mundra, Hazira, Goa, Mangalore, Cochin, Tuticorin, Chennai, Krishnapatnam and Visakhapatnam connecting India to the Middle East, SouthEast Asia, Bangladesh, Thailand, China and Korea. Besides Cochin, Dubai’s DP World operates Mundra, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Mumbai Nhava Sheva and Kulpi ports.
As a strategic move, the company which received the biggest container operator award from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, Mumbai, in 2014, has also started a fully-equipped back office operation facility in Kochi.
“In Kochi, we are the largest operator now with three vessel calls a week,” he said. “Soon, our new back office in Kochi will be in a position to support our entire global operations. All our ship planning and accounting operations will be done in Kochi.”
Source: Gulf Today