Japanese shipping firm plans to start container services from Mormugao port

Panaji: At least three shipping lines, including the Japanese shipping firm Ocean Network Express (ONE), expressed interest in commencing container movement at Mormugao port after the monsoon.

Additionally, Delta Ports, which handles operations at Berth No 10 and 11 of Mormugao port, is in active discussions with Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) to include Goa in the SMILE (SCI-Middle-East-India-Liner-Express) service.

ONE's senior management team, led by its managing director Masahiro Sakikubo, undertook a comprehensive terminal tour of Mormugao port on Monday to assess the terminal’s container-handling infrastructure. ONE is jointly owned by the Japanese shipping lines Nippon Yusen Kaisha, Mitsui OSK Lines, and K Line.

“This is a major milestone where a global liner has entrusted us and visited Goa for restarting the container services. ONE’s management showed keen interest in the ongoing developments at Delta port’s Mormugao Terminal Private Limited, particularly regarding the resumption of container services. Our consistent efforts and engagement with stakeholders led to their first-hand visit, offering an encouraging outlook for Goa Port’s future,” said an official of Delta Ports.

ONE, currently ranked fifth in the global container trade, operates a fleet of over 260 vessels with a capacity exceeding 2 million TEU.

MPA chairperson N Vinodkumar assured ONE of the port's full support, along with incentives to facilitate the commencement of container trade.

Encouragingly, Unifeeder, another logistics firm, is currently studying the feasibility of including Goa in its container network, engaging with leading shipping lines like CMA CGM, ONE, Maersk, MSC, and HMM to ship container cargo post-monsoon.

Port officials said that the inclusion of Mormugao port in the SCI’s SMILE network will reduce road transport dependency and support cargo movement for salt, industrial salt, tiles, bentonite, and manufactured goods, benefitting local industries.

“Goa’s exporters and importers will soon enjoy seamless global connectivity from their hometown port. "This initiative will particularly empower MSMEs, enabling them to compete confidently in international markets without the burden of high logistics costs,” said an MPA official.