Vietnam-India Direct Shipping Route Launched to Boost Trade

Vietnam has inaugurated a new direct shipping route connecting Chu Lai Port in Quang Nam Province to India, aiming to enhance trade efficiency and reduce logistics costs. The route, launched in partnership with Regional Container Lines and operated by Thilogi under Truong Hai Group, marks a significant step in strengthening economic ties between the two nations.  

 

Key Developments:  

- The upgraded Ky Ha shipping channel now accommodates vessels up to 30,000 deadweight tonnage, improving cargo handling capacity.  

- The first vessel on the route, Chana Bhum, carried 800 containers of goods, including auto parts, garments, furniture, and agricultural products.  

- India remains Vietnam’s largest trading partner in South Asia, accounting for nearly 80 percent of Vietnam’s exports to the region.  

- The new service eliminates the need for transshipment through northern or southern Vietnam, cutting costs and delivery time.  

- The route will operate twice monthly, facilitating trade with India and other markets such as China, South Korea, and Japan.  

 

Chu Lai Port has also introduced a new tugboat to support larger vessels, aligning with Vietnam’s long-term strategy to develop the port into a major logistics hub. The initiative is expected to significantly benefit exporters from central Vietnam, the Central Highlands, southern Laos, and northern Cambodia.  

 

Sources: The Saigon Times, Vietnam News, Logistics Insider.