Abu Dhabi Ports launches new feeder service to boost trade

Abu Dhabi Ports has established a new feeder services company to meet growing trade demands within the Gulf region.

SAFEEN FEEDERS will introduce a new feeder service linking Abu Dhabi to ports serving the UAE, the wider Gulf region and the Indian subcontinent.

The service will be operated in partnership with Bengal Tiger Line (BTL) through a vessel sharing agreement.

The service will allow for an efficient exchange of container cargo between mainliner vessels and the vessels within the rotation calling at nine regional ports located across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Pakistan, and western India.

In response to growing regional and global trade, @AbuDhabiPorts has established ‘Safeen Feeders’, a new maritime re-shipping services company that will increase connectivity and optimise shipping costs throughout and beyond the region. pic.twitter.com/qlm3VkkTvA

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) June 2, 2020

SAFEEN FEEDERS’ pendulum service, called the UAE-Indian Sub-Continent Gulf Service (UIG), will be delivered by three 2,700 TEU vessels (nominal capacity) via the following 21-day rotation calling: Khalifa Port; Jebel Ali Port; Karachi; (Kandla); Mundra; Nhava Sheva; Khalifa Port; Jebel Ali Port; Bahrain; Dammam; Jubail; and, Khalifa Port.

The first departure from Mundra is expected to take place on Tuesday, June 30.

“The launch of SAFEEN FEEDERS significantly strengthens our ability to enhance the competitiveness of our growing base of global customers, and helps our region meet international demands as a trade and logistics hub connecting east and west,” said Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, group CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports.

“With the addition of the new service, our shipping clients can expect efficient and cost-effective transhipment feeder solutions with ever-expanding regional and international reach and connectivity. These two elements are absolutely vital in today’s increasingly competitive international trade environment.”

In the medium term, Abu Dhabi Ports and BTL are expected to expand the service to other ports within the Gulf region, while long-term plans include exploring further opportunities at container terminals in the Red Sea and East Africa region.

“We are excited to be partnering with Abu Dhabi Ports in developing feeder solutions for the region and look forward to jointly promoting SAFEEN FEEDERS’ services in conjunction with our own BTL brand,” said Bill Smart, chief executive of Bengal Tiger Line.