THE Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) is seeking to expand coastal shipping and the transshipment of goods to strengthen trade with Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand, as part of India's Look East Policy.' "The Look East Policy hopes to boost trade in the region and also offers immense opportunity for ports located in the eastern part of the country such as the Krishnapatnam, which has developed high-quality infrastructure," said SCI liner and passenger service director Sarveen Narula.

Speaking at the launch of Krishnapatnam to Yangon service operated by SCI, Mr Narula said: "Given the trade potential, we may make this service a weekly feature and add bigger vessels up from 1,500 TEU to 4,500 TEU." He said that the Yangon service will boost bilateral trade relations between India and Myanmar by opening opportunities for exporters and importers in these countries, reported the Hindu daily's Business Line.

He added that "the last two years have been extremely difficult due to slowdown in the world economy. The heavy vessels calling into the Krishnapatnam port will aid transshipment to other locations. There are signs of increasing exports with items such as cement being added."

Part of the working group to draft recommendations for a multi-modal transport network in India, Mr Narula said that several countries in the Far East have potential to boost trade once new facilities are created.

These include opportunities to launch services to Vietnam and Thailand.

*NEWS SOURCE