Internatio nal Container Terminal Services Inc., (ICTSI) said its Pakistan operation has started servicing a cargo line that connects Central China with that of India West Coast/Pakistan.
ICTSI’s Pakistan International Container Terminal (PICT) recently welcomed the inaugural call of the China India West Coast XPRESS (CWX) service at the Port of Karachi.
Operated by Xpress Feeders, KMTC, and T.S. Lines, the fixedday weekly service made its first call at PICT in November 18 with the arrival of the 5,470-TEU MV Barbara — one of the six vessels deployed to the service.
“The CWX service offers a fast and direct connection between Central China and India West Coast/Pakistan,” ICTSI said.
The service routes through the ports of Shanghai, Ningbo and Shekou in China; Singapore; Port Klang in Malaysia; Nhava Sheva in India; Karachi; Mundra in India; Colombo in Sri Lanka; Port Klang; and Hong Kong, and returns to Shanghai, providing PICT’s customers with improved port coverage for their cargo.
“We are pleased to receive the inaugural call of the CWX service.
Considering the existing market demand, the service will provide our customers an efficient ease of access to various markets in the associated regions of ports of calls.
With this service, we expect to seek an overwhelming response from the market,” said Khurram Khan, PICT chief executive officer.
Pakistan International Container Terminal (PICT) holds the 21-year concession for the construction, development, operation and management of the common user container terminal at Karachi Port.
The preferred terminal for Indian subcontinent trade routes, ICTSI said PICT has excellent connections to Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Western Asia hinterlands.
In August, PICT also started serving Far Shipping Gulf Service — 1 (FGS-1) with the maiden call of MV Thorsky.
MV Thorsky, a 2169-TEU vessel with 183 meters LOA, is deployed on the FGS-1 with a voyage plan routing from PICT Karachi to Mundra, Sohar, Jebel Ali, Dammam, Haad, and then to Khalifa.
A newly launched service, it will be plying the route between India, Pakistan and the Gulf Region, seen to be a big boost for the area’s trade. – Ruelle Albert D. Castro
