Transworld unit launches service connecting all Indian ports

|By TAP Staff| Mumbai-based shipping and logistics provider Shreyas Shipping and Logistics Limited,, part of global conglomerate Transworld Group, has become introduced domestic containerised cargo movement at every Indian port, from Mundra up to Kolkata, all along peninsular Indian coasts. Shreyas is the first provider to offer this service.

“This is a first in Indian maritime history. This will be Shreyas Shipping and Logistics Limited’s contribution towards the success of Sagar Mala project of Indian government,” said Ramesh S. Ramakrishnan, Chairman of Transworld Group.

“Furthermore, in line with, and supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious Sagar Mala project, Transworld Group has decided to dedicate one of its vessels, M. V. OEL VICTORY by renaming it as SSL SAGARMALA” Ramakrishnan added.

Deploying the newly acquired vessel SSL Gujarat, whose delivery was taken on 19 January 2015 at Jebel Ali, Dubai, on self-operated service along the coastal route has enabled Shreyas Shipping and Logistics Limited to link all ports.

The new service will operate on rotation on the Mundra – Tuticorin – Katupalli – Vizag – Tuticorin – Cochin – Jebel Ali – Mundra sector. Shreyas Shipping and Logistics Limited will deploy two vessels, SSL Mumbai and SSL Gujarat on a 28 days voyage rotation which will provide fortnightly frequency.

The service will be upgraded to a weekly service in the future. The self-operated east coast feeder service from ports of Kolkata and Haldia to Vizag shall transship cargo at Vizag and connect to PIX2 service for Gulf country.

The three in one service meets the vision of Ministry of Shipping, which emphasizes on domestic coastal trade to new areas covering entire Indian coast, transshipment connectivity from east coast ports to Vallarpadam Terminal, and direct sailing from all east and south Indian ports to Gulf thereby reducing Indian cargo’s transshipment at Colombo.

“Vision of Shreyas Shipping and Logistics is very much in line with the vision of Ministry of Shipping for Indian coastal shipping and we have been following the directives for the growth of this efficient and cost-effective mode for transporting goods within the country without adding to traffic woes,” explained Ritesh S. Ramakrishnan, Director – Strategy and Business Planning, Transworld Group.

“The new policies and initiatives of Ministry of Shipping will go a long way in developing coastal shipping to which Shreyas has been committed for the last two decades,” added Ramakrishnan.

With this acquisition Shreyas Shipping and Logistics Limited has rebranded its vessel brand name from OEL to SSL. From now on, all vessels will operate with SSL as the prefix. “The idea is to create a brand name for the company independent from the Group across the globe,” Ramakrishnan said.

The new ship has also helped to increase the total tonnage by 25% to GRT of 98,696 thus actively contributing to the growth of Indian tonnage.

With speedy fleet rationalisation, the average fleet age has reduced from 22 years to 19 years in the last few years. Shreyas Shipping and Logistics Limited has actively participated in the country’s coastal growth story and the deployment of SSL Gujarat solely for coastal shipping is yet another move in this direction.