India launches Myanmar shipping service

India is ready to launch regular shipping service to Myanmar in an effort to strengthen ties with Bangladesh.

Reports from Mumbai claim the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) is looking to start fresh shipping lines to run container ships between India and Myanmar as early as next month.

Sources said commercial trial run of vessels on India-Bangladesh coastal routes will begin in the same month.

Officials said that the regular coastal shipping between Bangladesh ports and India’s eastern ports such as Paradip and Haldia may commence by this year-end.

With the commencement of India-Myanmar direct shipping service the transit time for Indian exports to Myanmar and Indian imports from the eastern neighbour would reduce considerably.

Sources said the SCI would get some subsidy for the first six months.

At present, there are no liner services between India and Myanmar. So, ships ply between the two countries only when there is full cargo. India and Myanmar have agreed to enhance their trade to $3 billion by 2015.
Source: ASC