Mumbai: The Port of Liverpool has advised that it is in discussions with a number of lines to create a direct shipping service to the west coast of India opening up a new potentially lucrative UK trade route to South Asia.
"With around 60% of current trade from India to the UK ultimately being delivered to within a 150-mile radius of the north-west city, we believe the new routes would increase efficiency and reduce costs for users," said management at the Merseyside port.
The latest talks were held when senior management from the Port of Liverpool visited Mumbai to attend a trade conference earlier this month and have since received commitment in excess of 45,000 teus per annum to the prospective service.
Ken Hayes, UK business development manager for Peel Ports, said: "All cargo originating from India gets shipped to various ports such as Felixstowe, Southampton and Dublin and is then redirected to its final destination, with an estimated 60% of this trade finding its way to within 150 miles of Liverpool.
"If the cargo is brought directly to Liverpool it will bring about a saving of around £300 per container by way of handling, advantage of higher port efficiency and onward transport cost. And then there are clear environmental benefits.
"We have received frequent demands from the trade for launching this direct sailing to Liverpool from India and have decided to enter detailed discussions which are now at an advanced stage with a number of lines."
The latest figures from the UK's DTI Economics & Statistics Directorate show that the total value of bilateral trade between the UK and India during 2006 was £8.7bn. [03/12/09]
Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. Seatrade, a trading name of Informa Markets (UK) Limited. Add Seatrade Maritime News to your Google News feed.
