SMPK Kolkata Launches Bengal Middle East Express to Boost Global Trade Connectivity

The BMEx service will operate along the Haldia-Chittagong-Jebel Ali-Haldia route, linking the industrial hub of Bengal and Eastern India with one of the key ports in the Middle East.

Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) has announced the launch of the Bengal Middle East Express (BMEx), a new container vessel service that will connect the Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) with the Jebel Ali Port in the UAE. This service, initiated by Ocean Salute Line of Singapore in collaboration with MBK Logistix Pvt Ltd, is set to enhance the global connectivity of the port. The inaugural vessel, Yong Yue 11, is scheduled to arrive at HDC on September 6, 2024.

The BMEx service will operate along the Haldia-Chittagong-Jebel Ali-Haldia route, linking the industrial hub of Bengal and Eastern India with one of the key ports in the Middle East. This new route is expected to significantly improve the efficiency of cargo movement, reducing both transit times and costs for regional exporters and importers.

Shri Rathendra Raman, Chairperson of Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, congratulated the HDC team on this development. He stated, "In today's rapidly evolving global trade environment, efficiency and flexibility are essential. We are proud to introduce the Bengal Middle East Express service, which not only establishes a direct connection between Haldia and Jebel Ali but also opens new avenues for trade and economic growth in the region.” Shri Raman also highlighted the port's commitment to enhancing its global competitiveness by offering substantial discounts on vessel-related charges for container vessels arriving directly from Southeast Asia, the Far East, and Middle Eastern ports.

The BMEx service is expected to revolutionize cargo movement by bypassing traditional transshipment ports, thereby reducing delays, lowering operational costs, and avoiding congestion. This direct route will enhance supply chain efficiency, reliability, and competitiveness, giving businesses in the region better access to global markets.