SIMIC

INTRA-REGIONAL container shipping company and a division the Maersk Group, SeaLead, is launching a regular, direct service between the east coast of Australia and the Indian Subcontinent.
The service, called ASIA, will connect Australia directly with India and Pakistan, complementing SeaLead's SAE Australia to China service, according to Australia's Daily Cargo News.
SeaLead will solely operate the new service, deploying two container vessels with a capacity of 4,250 TEU each.
According to SeaLead's agent in Australia, Nautical Shipping, further vessels are due to slot into the rotation to increase frequency in the third and fourth quarters of this year.
The service will commence with the phase in of the Ren Jian 26 on March 20 in Port Kelang.
Nautical Shipping commercial director Richard Hammond said: "SeaLead continues to expand the scope of services - which is great timing, with Australia's free trade agreement commencing with India - to benefit our customers and provide a market advantage to all commodity groups."
The port rotation for the service will be: Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Port Kelang (West Port), Karachi, Mundra, Nhava Sheva and Port Kelang (West Port).