December 9, 2020: Seaways Shipping and Logistics welcomed the maiden call of MV Asiatic Moon operated by Gold Star Line, Singapore. This is under the banner of ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd, which is among the Top-10 largest carriers in the world. ZIM Lines reposed complete confidence in the capabilities of Seaways Shipping and successfully booked this vessel for a full-load shipment from Paradip, India to Chittagong, Bangladesh.
Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) awarded this project to Seaways Shipping to transport 2860 tons of polymer granules, which were carried in 160 containers of which 130 were 20-feet while the remaining 30 were 40-feet containers. “Normally, cargo carried from Paradip Port used to be transhipped at Singapore or Colombo but this was first direct sailing of vessel between the two ports”, said Capt. D Nayak, AVP, Seaways Shipping. He added that “Industries located in India’s eastern state of Odisha will hugely benefit as they can avoid long-haul road movement from Odisha to Kolkata/Haldia or Visakhapatnam port.
The logistics and supply chain will achieve a major breakthrough with savings in time and cost for exporters and importers in Odisha state”. All cargo bookings can be made through Seaways Shipping, while early projection given to Line will encourage them to increase the frequency and size of vessels engaged in this route. As a pioneer, Seaways has been exclusively handling container cargo in Paradip, for the last 15 years. Seaways will call vessels to Paradip every three weeks and will cater to several ports in addition to Bangladesh. Reefer containers in and around Paradip are also likely to start using Paradip Port, with the terminal providing adequate support through extensive infrastructure, including 96 reefer points.
Senior executives from Paradip and Kandla ports present at this historic occasion included the Chairman of Deendayal Port Trust, Kandla, Shri S K Mehta (IFS), Chairman of Paradip Port Trust, Shri Rinkesh Roy, (IRTS), Deputy Chairman, Shri Asish Kumar Bose and Traffic Manager, Shri S K Mishra, among others.
