DP World Chennai adds direct connectivity to China, South East Asia

January 7, 2021: DP World operated Chennai Container Terminal (CCT) has added a new China–East India Service: CI5 service, enhancing its connectivity to South East Asia and China.

The service is operated by a consortium of five vessel operators – Wan Hai Lines, Interasia Lines, KMTC, Goldstar Lines and BTL.

The new CI5 service is the first-ever service from Chennai that will provide a direct connection to Pasir Gudang, Malaysia and Kaohsiung, Taiwan and will also offer direct connectivity to key ports of China in Shekou and Qingdao on the eastbound leg.

“Inclusion of this service reinforces Chennai Port’s position as South India’s major trade gateway with state-of-the-art facilities and best-in-class infrastructure to effectively serve the growing needs of the trade. MV Interasia Heritage is one of the six 4250 TEUs capacity vessels which will call the DP World Chennai terminal, says the release.

The service started with the maiden call of vessel MV Interasia Heritage on January 5, 2021. The vessel arrived from Port Kelang and carried total exchange of 4690 TEUs of which 2685 TEUs were import and 2005 TEUs export.

P. Raveendran, chairman, Chennai Port Trust, said, “We welcome the new service and look forward to more customers selecting Chennai as their preferred port of call. By the recent declaration of VRC rebates to vessels engaged in transhipment cargo as per specified norms, we are confident this new service will reap benefits, thereby adding value, minimizing costs, and promoting Chennai as a transhipment hub.”

M. M. Parthiban, principal commissioner of customs, said, “Our recent initiative to digitize customs clearance processes for paperless transactions, will not only enhance efficiency at the port but will also benefit customers by reducing the time and cost involved in import/export trade.”

Rizwan Soomar, CEO & MD, DP World Subcontinent, said, “The New CI5 service will connect South East Asia and China to India’s East coast thereby, providing customers with fast & reliable options to link their cargo directly to key global markets.”