India North Europe Express (INX) to link Pakistan directly to Europe

KARACHI:: A new maritime service linking Pakistan directly to Europe has been launched to reduce transshipment costs and accelerate delivery times for exports. The service named the India North Europe Express (INX), will begin operations from February 5, with its inaugural departure schedules from Karachi, reported The Express Tribune.

Asim Siddiqui, a Ports and Shipping Expert and former chairman of the All Pakistan Shipping Association, pointed out that while there are existing European shipping services from Pakistan, the new INX service will enhance the supply chain’s value and improve the capacity for direct shipment to northern Europe. “Although it may not dramatically transform seaborne trade, it will certainly provide added value,” he noted.

According to experts, the new service will offer a direct and efficient route to European markets. This enhanced accessibility will facilitate timely and cost-effective delivery of goods for various Pakistani industries, including marine, fisheries, and minerals. They said Pakistan’s strategic location positions it to capitalise on such initiatives to boost trade and it was anticipated that the new services will enhance the competitiveness of Pakistan’s goods in global markets.

As for the expected impact of the HMM-INX maritime service on trade and the global supply chain, the experts believe, “the improved connectivity to key European ports like Rotterdam, Hamburg, and London Gateway will enable quicker and more efficient shipping.”

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It is believed that the combination of Pakistan’s strategic position and initiatives such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will broaden the nation’s maritime trade prospects, reduce logistical bottlenecks, and create new opportunities for prompt and reliable access to European markets.

This is particularly vital for Pakistan’s blue economy, which boasts vast potential in marine and fisheries sectors.

The INX service’s maiden voyage will include rotations from Karachi to Hazira, Mundra, Nhava Sheva, Colombo, London Gateway, Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Antwerp, before returning to Karachi.

Operating as a weekly maritime service with an 11-week turnaround using 6,000 TEU container ships, the INX will directly connect Western India to Northern Europe.