Heba Press
Falak Marine Services Company, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund and one of the region’s leading companies as an operator of liner and tributary vessels, announced the launch of a new regional liner shipping route, connecting the main ports of Arabia. Gulf, including Dammam, Umm Qasr and two of India’s largest commercial ports, Nava Sheva and Mundra.
The new shipping line “India Gulf Service” will be launched from Dammam on October 30, 2024, where the vessel “Asterios”, with a capacity of 1,827 TEU, will provide the service. The ship will carry goods imported from India before heading to Umm Qasr. The initial plan called for service every 14 days, but it will quickly become weekly by next December.
The two new regional shipping routes aim to strengthen trade relations with India, facilitate the movement of consumer goods, petrochemicals and other commodities, and support the growing strategic partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and India. This service will also help improve regional connectivity and international markets, with a focus on Asian, African and European trade routes.
The Port of Dammam is also considered one of the 10 largest ports in the Middle East, processing and handling 2.7 million TEUs annually, making it a major player in regional and global supply chains.
Commenting on the launch of the new route, Paul Hestback, CEO of Falak Marine, said: “We are pleased to launch our new service to the Arabian Gulf, which will help fill a fundamental gap in the logistics supply chain and support our mission to connect ports, industries and shipping lines. The opening of this route is part of Vision 2030, which aims to consolidate the position of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub. This also strengthens Dammam’s strategic position as a major logistics hub and is a notable achievement for Falak Marine, as it is the first Saudi company to provide this service.
For his part, Kim Larsen, Commercial Director of Falak Marine, said: “Our goal is to expand our service journeys to meet the changing needs of our customers. “The launch of the India-Persian Gulf liner service represents a significant achievement, as it will improve our coverage and provide more innovative solutions to our customers. »
Falak Marine Company is considered the first Saudi company to provide regular container line and tributary vessel services in Saudi Arabia and the region. Through these new routes, the company is committed to providing reliable, efficient and strategically important maritime services to meet the growing demands of regional trade.
Since its establishment, Falak Marine has launched four unique new routes for regional shipping lines and tributary vessels, supported by specialized container shipping vessels, reflecting rapid growth and operational flexibility. This recent expansion of Falak Marine’s services will strengthen the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s position as a global logistics hub, facilitating regional and international trade and contributing to achieving Vision 2030’s goals for economic diversification.
