FESCO expands FIL-West capacity by almost 20%, strengthening container links between Russia, India and the Middle East.
Russia’s FESCO Transport Group has increased capacity on its FESCO Indian Line West (FIL-West) service by nearly 20 percent, reinforcing container connectivity between Novorossiysk, India, the Middle East and the Red Sea region as trade volumes on the corridor continue to grow.
The capacity upgrade follows the deployment of a larger container vessel to replace one of the smaller ships previously operating on the loop. The newly inducted vessel has already begun its maiden voyage from Jebel Ali to Novorossiysk, carrying import cargo, marking a key step in strengthening the service’s overall capability.
Two other FESCO-operated container vessels remain deployed on the FIL-West route, together offering more than 2,000 TEU of slot capacity. This expanded fleet is expected to deliver higher and more stable weekly capacity for shippers using the service.
Launched in 2023, the FIL-West service connects Novorossiysk with India’s Nhava Sheva and Mundra ports, as well as regional hubs including Jebel Ali and Jeddah. In 2025, the service handled over 19,000 TEU, representing a year-on-year increase of 16 percent, with export volumes of around 8,000 TEU and import volumes exceeding 11,000 TEU.
FESCO said the additional capacity will support growing trade flows between Russia, South Asia and the Middle East, while also improving service reliability and space availability for customers operating along this strategic container corridor.
Source: Maritime gateway
