GTI Receives First Vessel Under Direct India–Vietnam

Mumbai:

Port Wings News Network:

Gateway Terminals India (GTI), 74:26 joint venture between APM Terminals and the Container Corporation of India, has received the first vessel under the Vietnam-Thailand-India (VTI) service operated by Interasia Lines, marking the start of a direct weekly maritime link between India and key Southeast Asian markets.

According to a news report on ET Infra, the new service connects India with ports in Vietnam and Thailand, offering an alternative to routes that rely on transshipment hubs.

Direct connectivity to Southeast Asia

GTI said the VTI service will provide a regular weekly connection, aimed at improving cargo movement between India and Southeast Asia. The corridor is part of broader efforts to strengthen trade links with the region, which has seen growing volumes in recent years.

The inaugural vessel call at the Mumbai terminal was marked by a plaque exchange between officials from GTI, Interasia Lines and the vessel’s master.

Commenting on the development, Kumar Divya, Chief Operating Officer at GTI, said, “This maiden call reflects our commitment to building deeper, more structured partnerships with our customers.”

He added, “By aligning our operations closely with Interasia Lines, we are creating a strong foundation to support growth across the India’s Southeast Asia trade.”

Kelvin Lin, Key Client Manager – Global Sales at APM Terminals, said, “This marks an important milestone in establishing our first direct partnership with Interasia Lines, and a strong step towards supporting IAL’s future growth ambitions globally.”

Expected trade impact

The addition of the VTI service is expected to support a range of industries by enabling more efficient cargo movement between the regions. Direct services are generally seen as a way to reduce handling times and logistics costs, particularly for time-sensitive shipments.

GTI said it aims to strengthen its role in international trade by expanding service offerings and working closely with shipping lines to improve operational efficiency.