DP World, a key player in logistics, announced the inauguration of a new weekly mainline service called 'SIG' at its International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) in Cochin on December 7, 2023. Operated by ONE Line, this service aims to enhance trade connections between India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. With four vessels deployed and a combined capacity of 2,800 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), the service establishes direct links between the Middle East and Southeast Asia, according to the company's statement. Additionally, the service will offer Cochin and its surrounding regions access to various destinations such as the Far East, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, the United States West Coast, Canada, and vice versa.
Ravinder Johal, Chief Operating Officer of Ports & Terminals for DP World in the Subcontinent and MENA region, highlighted that the introduction of the SIG service represents a significant achievement in their continuous efforts to reinforce India's ties to global trade. This pioneering initiative reflects their dedication to improving supply chain effectiveness, establishing direct trade pathways, and fostering economic expansion. Johal emphasized that through this service, businesses involved in exports and imports will discover fresh prospects across Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
The SIG service route covers Singapore, Nhava Sheva, Mundra, Dammam, Jebel Ali, Cochin, and Colombo, eventually returning to Singapore. Its launch is poised to elevate DP World Cochin's status as a favored entry point to southern India, offering increased connectivity to ports in Europe, the Mediterranean, China, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Currently, DP World Cochin directly handles nearly half of both exported and imported cargo, resulting in expedited transit times, seamless connections, and improved cost efficiencies for clientele.