Maersk India launches dedicated cargo train for Auto industry in North India

#Maersk #AutomotiveExpress #Supplychain #Logistics

Source: Maersk

The distance from nearest ports and the subsequent inconsistencies of cargo movement inland can be addressed with the dedicated channel

Maersk has launched a dedicated train service between Gurugram and Pipavav Port to facilitate on-time and smooth flow of cargo between the manufacturing hub and the nearest port. Called the Automotive Express, the dedicated train service is a part of letting private players into the railways for effective utilization of resources. This new rail service runs from the Garhi Harsaru Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Gurugram to APM Terminals Pipavav Port for exports and return with import cargo. It will have the capacity to move 180 TEUs (Twenty Feet Equivalent Containers) each way.

For years several of these manufacturers based in and around Gurugram, northern part of India, have been dependent on staggered and unscheduled rail movement for their cargo going in and out of the country. Delayed imports hamper production schedules while delayed exports pile up inventories for the manufacturers.

It will help Automotive manufacturers acquire highly reliable logistics services that can move their raw material and finished products on precise schedules to ensure uninterrupted production processes. The first ‘Automotive Express’ first run was virtually flagged off on 18th April 2021 by Denmark’s Ambassador to India, His Excellency Freddy Svane. “Manufacturing is an extremely important building block of our country’s economy. As a service provider to this critical segment, our goal is to streamline their supply chains and offer highest levels of reliability” commented Vikash Agarwal, Managing Director, Maersk South Asia.

He added, “With the ‘Automotive Express’, we are not only simplifying our automotive customers’ supply chains by offering integrated logistics solutions that bundles ocean and landside transportation, but are also driving cost and time efficiencies through precisely scheduled movement of their cargo.”

“GatewayRail is excited to jointly launch the new ‘Automotive Express’ with Maersk that connects customers to their global import and export destinations through the MECL and FI3 services at APM Terminals Pipavav Port. GatewayRail has been a pioneer in innovative intermodal services such as the ‘Ship to Rail Service’ and now the ‘Automotive Express’ and is proud to be the intermodal operator of choice for Maersk India” said Sachin Bhanushali, Director & CEO, Gateway Rail Freight Ltd.

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