Haldia Shuttle Feeder Service to Vizhinjam Launched, Enhancing Container Transport in India

Mediterranean Shipping Company SA has introduced a feeder service linking Adani Ports’ newly established container terminal in Vizhinjam, Kerala, and the Haldia Dock Complex of the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority. This service, which will operate every ten days, aims to reduce reliance on the Colombo port for container transportation and receipt. The “Haldia Shuttle” service will also make a stop at Paradip Port on its way to Vizhinjam, marking the first feeder service between an Indian gateway port and the Vizhinjam transshipment port.

The MSC feeder service offers discounts on ship-related charges at the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority for container ships loading 601-1,000 TEU (Twenty Foot Equivalent Units) per call. There is a 20% discount on port charges, berth rental, towing, and pilotage charges for these vessels. If a container ship loads 1,001 TEU or more in a single call, the discount increases to 30%. Foreign companies operating container feeder vessels between Haldia Dock Complex and international transshipment ports are eligible for this concession.

The Vizhinjam container terminal has seen significant activity since its commissioning, with MSC making the most ship calls. The terminal handled almost 100,000 TEU during a trial phase from July to November. The Indian government estimates that regional ports like Colombo and Singapore handle about 3 million TEU of cargo containers to India annually, with Colombo alone handling around 2.5 million TEU. Transshipment adds to logistical costs for Indian industries, but initiatives like the Maritime India Vision 2030 aim to reduce these additional charges and optimize container handling processes to benefit the industry as a whole.

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