Seaways to launch cargo vessels to Myanmar

The Hindu Thursday, April 17, 2008

HYDERABAD: Maxicon Container Line Pvt. Ltd, a division of Hyderabad-based Seaways Group, will be launching a direct Myanmar-India-Bangladesh service, the first vessel MV Marina Star 2, with 852 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units). The embarking on the first voyage will be on April 21 from Yangon to Chennai. The next vessel of 1118 TEU,

MV Emirates Gondwana, planned for the first week of May 2008, will connect Yangon directly to Nhava Sheva (Mumbai) and touch Colombo and Chittagong on the return voyage.

‘Just the beginning’


Chairman and Managing Director of Seaways Group P.V.K. Mohan said here on Wednesday that the connectivity by the two vessels between Myanmar and East and West coasts of India was just a beginning in the trade ties entered into by India and Myanmar.

To accelerate business


The movement of cargo vessels would accelerate the business between the two countries, especially in the wake of Sittwe Port in Myanmar being developed by India at a cost of Rs. 480 crore.

Regular service


This would reduce transit time for the movement of consignment and provide a regular service to the East and West coasts of India. While Marina Star 2 would connect the East Coast thrice, the Emirates Gondwana would connect the West Coast twice a month.

Exports


Myanmar exports apparel, food, wood products and precious stones and imports machinery, transport equipment, construction material, food products, textile fabrics and petroleum products from India.