Maersk in India has recorded a 43 percent increase in the movement of containerised export cargo on rail in 2021. With import and export on rail combined, the growth figure comes out at 23 percent. Maersk credits its 13 new weekly rail services in the world’s second-most populous country as one of its growth drivers.

The new rail services came into existence due to the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which threw up obstacles such as lorrie drivers being sent home as well as “inconsistent rules being implemented across different states”, according to Maersk.

New services

Having studied what was required where and when, Maersk came up with 13 new rail services, including dedicated lines for the automotive manufacturing sector, the chemicals industry and new lines for de retail sector.

“Unlocking the potential of rail solutions to move cargo during the toughest times of the pandemic has been hugely satisfying. To be able to play a role in developing tailor-made solutions for customers which ultimate helped the traders in the country connect to the global market was even more gratifying”, said Akshyat Bhatia, the head of Maersk South Asia’s Landside Transportation division.

According to rail product manager for South Asia Jyoti Mitter, Maersk in 2021 added 273 new freight corridors, carrying 50.000 twenty feet equivalent units.

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