Indian Container market expected to grow further: Hapag-Lloyd Launches two New Services

by Priya Jadhav

In response to growing demand, Hapag-Lloyd will offer more services from and to India. Two new services, the South East India – Europe Express (IEX) and the Middle EastIndia-Africa Express (MIAX), will enter into operation in October. Both the IEX and the MIAX will further strengthen and optimize Hapag-Lloyd’s marketleading position in India and connect the country even more closely to North Europe and Africa. “We believe in serving the needs of all Indian customers. To do that, acomprehensive service coverage is essential and the IEX and MIAX will be an optimal additional to our existing service portfolio” says Dheeraj Bhatia, Senior Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd’s Region Middle East.

“Hapag-Lloyd has a strong network of services connecting key markets through Indian ports. The launch of two new services – IEX and MIAX – will create stronger opportunities for EXIM cargo and for Indian manufacturers to cater to global markets. At DP World, it is our constant endeavour to deliver the best services to our partners in the supply chain with highest levels of efficiency. We are extremely pleased to be chosen by Hapag-Lloyd yet again as it reinforces their confidence in our capabilities to add value to trade. We will work closely with Hapag-Lloyd to ensure that customers benefit from our multi modal logistics capabilities in the country to effectively manage their supply chains” adds Rizwan Soomar, CEO and Managing Director, DP-World Indian sub-continent, one of the leading terminal providers in the country.

The IEX, will provide the only direct connection between South and East India and Europe in the market. The weekly service, jointly operated with ONE, YML and COSCO, will be made up of nine 6,500 TEU vessels, with Hapag-Lloyd contributing four ships. The first departures are scheduled for 26 October. The MIAX, launching on 12 October, will on the other hand support the growing demand of transport capacity between India and Africa. Hapag-Lloyd will operate MIAX jointly with Ocean Network Express. A total of nine vessels with a capacity of 2,800 TEU each, will serve on this new route, five of which will be provided by Hapag-Lloyd. Hapag-Lloyd entered the Indian market 12 years ago and has established a strong presense in the country with 12 services and 14 offices. The company has experienced significant growth in transported volumes every year since then. “In recent years we have seen strong growth in our transport volumes and market share, and today have roughly a market share of around 9%. There is great potential for further growth in India and the new IEX and MIAX services are a step into that direction” confirms Dheeraj Bhatia. Today, Hapag-Lloyd employs over 2,000 experts in India and Indians are the largest group of nationalities in the global Hapag-Lloyd organization.