The Italian shipping group Grimaldi extends its network of maritime connections to India going live starting this month a regular service with two monthly departures from Europe to the Indian subcontinent. The new connection includes stopovers in some of the main ports of Northern Europe and the Iberian Peninsula, according to the route Southampton - Antwerp - Bremerhaven - Setubal/Vigo - Mumbai. After reaching India, the ships will continue their sailing to the Far East, touching Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and China. Each month, the service also includes the connection between India and the main ports of the Persian Gulf, in Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

To call the port of Mumbai for the first time, on the 20th February, will be the pure car and truck carrier Great California which can carry vehicles equal to about 7,800 CEU or, alternatively, about 5,000 linear meters of rolling stock of all kinds and about 2,800 ceu. In total, there will be seven units twin car carriers employed in the new service to India.

As part of its continued expansion in the Asian market, The Neapolitan group has not ruled out a further expansion of the presence also in India with the addition of stopovers in other strategic ports of the country.