Mediterranean Shipping Company forced to rely on Indian ports

Congestion in Singapore is compelling Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world's largest container carrier, to increasingly utilise Indian ports like Kamarajar and Visakhapatnam for transhipment operations. MSC faces challenges in securing berths in Singapore and Colombo, prompting the use of Indian ports where they deposit containers for onward shipment. This strategic shift has notably boosted container volumes at terminals managed by companies like Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) in Kamarajar and Mundra, where MSC recently acquired a stake. The recent docking of massive vessels like 'MSC Anna' and 'MSC Mara' signifies the growing importance of Indian ports amidst global congestion issues. Singapore's port congestion, stemming from factors like vessel diversions via the Cape of Good Hope due to security concerns in the Red Sea, is causing disruptions in container shipping routes, leading to delays and potential rate hikes. MSC's redirection of containers to Indian ports underscores the evolving dynamics of global trade routes and the increasing role of Indian terminals in mitigating congestion challenges.

(Source: ET Infra)

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