Abu Dhabi Ports launches feeder service linking UAE, Gulf & Indian Subcontinent

June 11, 2020: Abu Dhabi Ports announced the establishment of a new feeder services company, “SAFEEN FEEDERS” and company this will introduce a new feeder pendulum service called the UAE-Indian Sub-Continent Gulf Service (UIG) linking Abu Dhabi to ports serving the UAE, the broader Gulf region and Indian Sub-Continent.

The service will be executed in partnership with the feeder service operator Bengal Tiger Line (BTL) through a vessel sharing agreement.

The service will allow for timely and efficient exchange of container cargo between mainliner vessels and the vessels within the rotation calling at nine regional ports located across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Pakistan, and Western India.

”SAFEEN FEEDERS’ pendulum service, will be delivered by three 2,700 TEU vessels (nominal capacity) via the following 21-day rotation calling: Khalifa Port; Jebel Ali Port; Karachi; Kandla; Mundra; Nhava Sheva; Khalifa Port; Jebel Ali Port; Bahrain; Dammam; Jubail; and, Khalifa Port. The service will commence during week 27 with the first departure from Mundra is expected to take place on Tuesday, June 30, 2020.

As part of our ever growing strategy to facilitate growing trade demands, we are pleased to launch "SAFEEN FEEDERS" Shipping Service in partnership with Bengal Tiger Line. https://t.co/F6qyd1xGPx pic.twitter.com/lDRjMH7qXK

— Abu Dhabi Ports (@AbuDhabiPorts) June 2, 2020

In the medium term, Abu Dhabi Ports and Bengal Tiger Line expect to expand the service to ports in the broader Gulf region. Over the long-term, the new company will explore further service opportunities at container terminals in the Red Sea and East Africa regions

SAFEEN FEEDERS will serve the Group’s mainliner shipping clients and support the region through increased connectivity and optimized shipping costs within and beyond the region.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Group CEO, Abu Dhabi Ports, said “The launch of SAFEEN FEEDERS significantly strengthens our ability to enhance the competitiveness of our growing base of global customers, and helps our region meet international demands as a trade and logistics hub connecting east and west. With the addition of the new service, our shipping clients can expect efficient and cost-effective transhipment feeder solutions with ever-expanding regional and international reach and connectivity. These two elements are vital in today’s increasingly competitive international trade environment.

“By partnering with Bengal Tiger Line, we are not only growing our Abu Dhabi Ports family and creating mutually positive solutions, but we are also significantly broadening our product and service offering to our valued clients and enhancing our contribution to Abu Dhabi’s non-oil economy.”

Bill Smart, chief executive, Bengal Tiger Line, said “We are excited to be partnering with Abu Dhabi Ports in developing feeder solutions for the region and look forward to jointly promoting SAFEEN FEEDERS’ services in conjunction with our own BTL brand.