COSCO SHIPPING Lines (COSCO SL) has officially reinstated its dedicated SKX1 shuttle service between Singapore and Kolkata (formerly Calcutta). The service—suspended in late 2023—has been relaunched to enhance regional network resilience and reinforce connectivity along the East India–Southeast Asia trade corridor, according to Alphaliner, a leading maritime data and analytics provider.

Key Service Enhancements  

• Vessel Deployment: The revived SKX1 shuttle will be operated by a single, dedicated 900-TEU container vessel, ensuring consistent schedule reliability and port-to-port transit efficiency.  

• Complementary Capacity Strategy: In addition to its standalone shuttle, COSCO SL has secured slot allocations on the existing joint-service route between Singapore and Kolkata, operated by Bengal Tiger Lines (BTL) and X-Press Feeders. This dual-capacity approach expands total weekly capacity without compromising operational control.  

• Integrated Branding & Commercial Execution: Both the dedicated vessel and the slot-sharing arrangement will be marketed uniformly under the SKX1 brand, delivering seamless customer experience, simplified documentation, and consolidated service visibility across all booking channels.

Strategic Rationale  

This reactivation strengthens COSCO SL’s service proposition on a strategically vital trade lane—linking key East Indian export hubs (including Kolkata, Haldia, and surrounding industrial zones) with Singapore’s premier transshipment center. By combining proprietary assets with collaborative capacity, the carrier achieves improved frequency, enhanced equipment availability, and greater responsiveness to seasonal demand fluctuations—supporting long-term customer retention and market share growth in the subcontinent.

Resource.: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/RxlTEoaKhtAZZ3yCfZvbWw