The inaugural China Calcutta Service vessel, MV Kota Rakyat, entered Kolkata Port, enhancing transit efficiency.
The maiden vessel of the weekly China Calcutta Service (CCS) entered the Kolkata Dock System (KDS) on Thursday amidst much fanfare. The Singapore-flagged 143.93-meter-long MV Kota Rakyat was received by Samrat Rahi, Deputy Chairman at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK), along with KDS traffic manager R. S. Rajhans and other officials.
The aim of this direct weekly service from China to Kolkata is to address the increasing demand for reduced transit time from ports in the Far East to Kolkata. “The MV Kota Rakyat and her sister ships MV Kota Ria and MV Kota Rukun are specially designed for navigation in shallow waters with average parcel loads of 622 TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units),” an official stated.
Marine Traffic reported that the MV Kota Rakyat negotiated a draught of just 6.9 meters, matching KDS’s capabilities. This service promises a transit period of just 10 to 12 days, significantly enhancing logistical efficiency for customers in India and Nepal.
The port rotation for the route includes Xiamen, Shekou, Singapore, and Kolkata, providing robust connectivity and fostering trade growth in the region. The maiden voyage will be followed by the MV Kota Rukun on July 25. This weekly service is set to bolster shipping efficiency for the burgeoning EXIM trade across West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, the northeastern states of India, as well as Nepal and Bhutan.
