The Port of Virginia is now offering Ocean Network Express (ONE)’s West India – North America (WIN) service.
According to the Port of Virginia, the WIN vessel made its first call to the port on 23 June.
Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and Executive Director of the Virginia Port Authority said: “The service gives the port a direct link to western India and Pakistan, which are both growing markets for export cargo. Ocean carrier HMM is also sharing space on this service; for this carrier, it is the IAX (India America Express) service.
“This is an important development because it gives exporters quicker access to the Indian Subcontinent, which is an up-and-coming market and an area that holds a lot of trade potential. There is a lot of interest and growing cargo volumes in this trade lane. This is an excellent opportunity for exporters of agricultural products, like cotton and grain, to quickly get their products to this area of the world.”
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The port noted that last-out vessel calls are vital to exporters since their goods are loaded onto a ship and transported straight to the market; there is no waiting as the ship makes extra stops at peer ports along the East Coast.
The east-to-west port rotation is Virginia, Bin Qasim, Pakistan, then Mundra, Hazira and Nhava Sheva – all of which are ports on India’s west coast.
Edwards added that this is a chance for exporters to capitalise on the port’s developing assets as well as its rail link to Memphis, a major logistics centre in the Southeast.
