SMP Kolkata announces inauguration of China-Calcutta service at Kolkata Dock System

New Delhi: Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMP Kolkata), in alliance with Pacific International Lines (PIL), a leader in feeder and container services for over three decades, has announced the inauguration of the China Calcutta Service (CCS) at the Kolkata Dock System (KDS) recently.

According to an official statement, this pioneering direct weekly service from China to Kolkata meets the increasing demand for reduced transit times from the Far East Ports to Kolkata, enhancing connectivity and efficiency for our stakeholders.

The CCS will feature three dedicated vessels – Kota Ria, Kota Rukun, and Kota Rakiyat – each with an average parcel load of 622 TEUs, specially tailored to navigate lower draft conditions. This service promises a transit period of just 10 to 12 days, significantly enhancing logistical efficiency and meeting the needs of customers in India and Nepal.

The port rotation for the route includes: Xiamen – Shekou – Singapore – Kolkata – Singapore – Xiamen, providing robust connectivity and fostering trade growth in the region.

Congratulating the team KDS behind the achievement, the Chairperson of Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata Rathendra Raman said that, "In line with this development, we have planned for a concession Scheme to stimulate vessel calls and container operations, effective for the FY 2024-25."

This weekly service is set to bolster the shipping efficiency for the burgeoning EXIM trade across West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, the Northeast states of India, as well as Nepal and Bhutan.

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