Maersk has launched FI2, a new weekly deep-sea container service linking the Far East with the Indian Subcontinent. The inaugural westbound voyage is scheduled to depart Shanghai on June 4, 2026.
The service is operated by a dedicated fleet of six vessels, each with a nominal capacity of 4,500 TEUs. Port rotation includes Shanghai, Ningbo, Nansha, Tanjung Pelepas, Nhava Sheva, Pipavav, and Port Qasim.
Addressing escalating market demand
FI2 has been introduced to meet sustained customer demand for enhanced capacity and reliability on the China–India trade lane. It provides Indian importers and exporters with a high-frequency, transit-optimized ocean connection to major manufacturing, sourcing, and consumption centers across northwestern India.
Strategic advantage of Pipavav call
A distinguishing feature of FI2 is its inclusion of Pipavav Port in Gujarat—a designated gateway to India’s Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) rail network. Through seamless DFC integration, containers arriving at Pipavav can be efficiently transported inland to the National Capital Region (NCR), including Delhi, Gurugram, and Noida. This multimodal linkage significantly enhances time-definite logistics capabilities—particularly for time-critical cargo across the automotive, chemicals, retail, and technology sectors.
Commenting on the launch, Thomas Theeuwes, Managing Director of Maersk South Asia, stated: “FI2 reflects our commitment to delivering what customers value most: scalable capacity, schedule integrity, and end-to-end connectivity on the China–India corridor. By integrating this weekly ocean service with our DFC-enabled rail solution, we are advancing beyond conventional shipping to deliver a truly unified, end-to-end logistics offering.”
Strengthening Maersk’s India service portfolio
FI2 complements Maersk’s existing FI3 service, expanding its direct Far East–India ocean product suite to two dedicated weekly services. Collectively, FI2 and FI3 enhance service frequency, broaden port coverage, improve routing options, and reinforce supply chain resilience for customers operating along this strategically vital trade corridor.
Resource.: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/eeKELI7C2yk4v9Nqghjscg