On 2 January 2019, PSA’s Bharat Mumbai Container Terminals Private Limited (“BMCT”) welcomed the first regular service call of Hyundai Merchant Marine (“HMM”)’s China India Express (“CIX”) service. The 8,562 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) capacity “M.V. Hyundai Loyalty” is one of six vessels deployed on this service connecting BMCT to key Far East markets with the following port rotation: BMCT – Mundra – Karachi – Port Kelang – Singapore – Hong Kong – Gwangyang – Busan – Shanghai – Ningbo – Shekou – Singapore – BMCT. A total of 8,540 TEUs were handled during this first call in 42 hours.
During the onboard vessel ceremony to mark this occasion, PSA India’s Senior Advisor Captain Suresh Amirapu said, “We are honored to receive this early vote of confidence from HMM in BMCT’s first year of operations. With our capacity growing to reach 2.4 million TEUs annually by April 2019 with the arrival of 3 more super post-panamax quay cranes, BMCT aims to provide HMM and its customers with unrivalled productivity, flexibility and growth opportunities at JNPT’s largest container terminal.”
Mr. HJ Sung, Managing Director of HMM India, was present at the inaugural call and commented, “We are glad to take our global relationship with PSA one step forward by commemorating our CIX service at PSA’s BMCT, giving us an edge to meet customer satisfaction with enhanced operational efficiency and move count per hour. BMCT with its advanced technology and infrastructure is highly capable to accommodate 13,000 TEU vessels, which are a part of HMM’s recent mega vessel project to continuously bring even more bigger sized container vessels to boost the Exim trade in India. We look forward to lay down several milestones of success and growth together. Best of luck to both HMM and PSA’s BMCT teams !” BMCT General Manager Mr. Sivakumar said, “BMCT is deeply appreciative of HMM’s support. We will be working very closely with HMM and their customers to ensure the CIX service goes from strength to strength. We are especially looking to increase the share of rail-borne cargo, given the advantages of rail over road for longer distances and BMCT’s expansive railyard, train-handling capabilities and the upcoming completion of the Dedicated Freight Corridor.”
