Kolkata, June 11 (Reporter) Direct weekly express shipping service linking Port Klang and Yangon with Haldia has been launched recently, marking a new era in water navigation and logistics, the Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) of Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, (SMPK) announced on Tuesday, . This first-of-its-kind service debuted with the successful berthing of the vessel SITC Nagoya at the Haldia International Container Terminal on June 6. It arrived directly from Shanghai, China, said SMP chairman Rathendra Raman, The second vessel in the pioneering loop service, SITC Tianjin, is scheduled to call at Haldia Dock Complex from China around June 12. For the first time in SMPK's history, a regular weekly direct vessel service from Yangon and Port Klang will call at Haldia Container Terminal, operated by J M Baxi Ports and Logistics. The port rotation for this weekly service will be Port Klang-Haldia Dock Complex-Yangon Port-Port Kelang/Shanghai, creating a seamless connection among the far east ports in Malaysia, China, Japan, India, Malaysia and Myanmar. This marks a significant boost in shipping efficiency and flexibility by adding vessels, enhancing connections to Myanmar, Port Kelang, and Shanghai, benefiting shippers in West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, the North East, Nepal, and Bhutan with faster and cheaper transit times. Appreciating the productive efforts of J. M. Baxi Ports and Logistics, Raman said, “The vessel service is aimed to enhance and provide efficient shipping and cost effective shipping to the fast-growing EXIM Trade in this region." Raman also added, “It is expected that with the commencement of this direct service the cost of shipment will be cheaper by about 35% for the cargo from Far East countries to SMP, Kolkata compared to the traditional route, encouraging cargo/trade owners of India, Malaysia, Mayanmar, China and Japan on a regular basis.” In another major development, SMP Kolkata is set to launch a regular container train service between Haldia Dock and Kolkata. Haldia Dock, with its deeper drafts, can accommodate larger container vessels, allowing importers to bring in more cargo. The cargo can then be efficiently transported by train to Kolkata, providing an integrated, cost-effective logistics solution that extends to the customers' doorsteps...////...