DP World begins freight rail service in India

DP World begins freight rail service in India DP World has entered the private freight rail market in India, with the commencement of service between Delhi and the Port of Mundra last week.
   The operator, Container Rail Road Services Pvt. Ltd., is a 100 percent subsidiary of the Mundra International Container Terminal, operated by Dubai-based DP World.
   The company confirmed to American Shipper that service has indeed started, with the first train arriving at Mundra Friday. It will be backloaded for an inland container depot at Dadri, near Delhi.
   Mundra is a growing port in northwestern India in the state of Gujarat.
   According to a report in Eximin.net, the service will begin on a fixed-day schedule. By the end of 2007, DP World plans to begin operating private trains between its terminal at Nhava Sheva in Mumbai and Delhi.
   Last year, the Indian government began allowing private companies to operate freight rail services. So far, APL and India-based Hind Terminals have been the only ones of 15 who applied for such licenses to begin significant services, with DP World now joining the fray.