Hercules service made Port Pipavav its first port of call

NYK Line’s premier Hercules service has recently made Port Pipavav its first port of call in India. The first vessel to call was the m.v. ACX Hibiscus a few days back, according to Exim News Service.


The service, between Japanese ports, Laem Chabang and the Indian Subcontinent, is a key niche in the market, providing an industry-best transit time of 19 days in this highly competitive region from Tokyo to Pipavav. The Hercules service will also provide a direct connection from/to countries in Far East Asia, USWC and Australia. Its port rotation is:


Tokyo, Shimizu, Omaezaki, Nagoya, Kobe, Laem Chabang, Singapore, Pipavav, Karachi-Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, Mumbai-Nhava Sheva, Colombo, Singapore, Laem Chabang, Keelung, Tokyo
"The Hercules service is a unique service that connects Japan and India directly," said Mr C. K. Rajan, Head, Container Business, APM Terminals Pipavav. "The service also offers the fastest transit time with an overall saving of four days from Japan. This service is especially attractive for Japanese multinationals and Indian customers who import high-end white/electronic goods and automobile accessories for India."


In a statement, Mr Okinobu Hatsugai, Managing Director, NYK Line (India) Ltd, said, "We welcome our partnership with a reputed organisation like GPPL and look forward to a long-term, fruitful relationship with them. NYK will continue to focus on new growth opportunities to cater to the vibrant and promising Indian market for better customer satisfaction".


Capt. Vivek Singh Anand, General Manager - All-India Operations of NYK Line (India) Ltd, added, "The vessel turnaround time for the service will be 42 days. NYK has deployed 6 vessels on this route, catering largely to Japanese overseas accounts and the automobile industry in particular."


NYK is one of Port Pipavav’s esteemed customers and both companies share a long history of mutually beneficial relationships with each other. Over the last two years, the Port has increased the number of customers and today has 23 customers with a reach that spans the US, Europe, the Mediterranean, Middle East and the Far East. In 2010 alone, 8 new services and 5 new customers were added to the portfolio of Port Pipavav.


The trend continues in 2011 as well.
(Source:http://www.transportweekly.com)