CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal, the first overseas Greenfield project of COSCO SHIPPING Ports Limited (CSP) announced the start of a direct, weekly service to the Indian subcontinent and several ports across Europe.
The new direct service will be served by a fleet of eight vessels on rotation, ranging in capacity between 10,000 to 13,000 TEUs. The vessels will operate from Abu Dhabi Ports’ flagship deep-water Khalifa Port, where the terminal was established as part of a 35-year agreement with CSP, and serving as a regional base for COSCO SHIPPING Ports’ global network of 37 ports.
The European service will call at the ports of Rotterdam, Hamburg, London, Antwerp, and Le Havre. Direct exports from these ports will consist primarily of polymers while returning vessels will carry a mix of general and project cargo imports.
Within the Indian subcontinent, the ports covered by the service include Nhava Sheva and Mundra in India, and Karachi in Pakistan.
Naser Al Busaeedi, Deputy CEO, CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal said, “More than a year on since CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal officially launched, we are now well-positioned to bring our direct service offering to a global audience.
“Our new services will significantly increase the movement of cargo exports and imports between Abu Dhabi, Europe and India, providing our customers with solutions to tackle their international shipment needs, as well as the opportunity to target new markets.”
The direct services are expected to lend additional support to customers across markets in the Middle East, Africa and beyond the region, as well as clients of the Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi, providing faster transit and competitive rates for their import and export activities.
Mohamed Eidha Tannaf Al Menhali, Acting Director, Khalifa Port said, “This new dedicated service marks an important strategic step in Abu Dhabi Ports’ vision to transform Khalifa Port’s end-to-end logistics capability.”
“The ability to connect with some of the world’s most important maritime hubs in Europe and the Northwest Indian subcontinent will enhance Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a leading facilitator and enabler of global trade in the 21st century.”
“Not only does this announcement bolster our existing partnership with COSCO SHIPPING Ports Limited, but it also ensures our other customers will be well positioned to broaden their horizons by engaging with new trading and logistics opportunities all around the world.”
With expectations that the new offering will increase CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal’s weekly handling of cargo, the development is also expected to help add more feeder services from the terminal.
