Zim, Emirates, SCI, MacAndrews to add U.S./Indian subcontinent loop
Dubai-based startup carrier Emirates Shipping Line, as expected has joined forces with Israel’s Zim Integrated Shipping Services, the Shipping Corp. of India (SCI), and CMA CGM subsidiary MacAndrews, to start next month a joint weekly U.S. East Coast/Mediterranean/Indian subcontinent service.
The Indus Express (IDX) service will use eight ships ranging from 2,500 TEUs to 3,000 TEUs and will have port rotation of: New York, Norfolk, Charleston, Barcelona, Colombo, Tuticorin, Nhava Sheva, Mundra, Barcelona and back to New York.
Zim will operate three of the ships, with SCI and Emirates Shipping Line deploying two vessels each and MacAndrews one vessel.
Subject to U.S. regulatory approval, the first vessel on the IDX is scheduled to call at Colombo May 24.
The IDX will be in direct completion with the Indamex service of APL, CP Ships, CMA CGM and MacAndrews. SCI was previously a vessel provider on the Indamex. It is not known whether CMA CGM and MacAndrews will continue on the Indamex after the start of the IDX.