Maersk Debuts FI2 Service to Boost China-India Trade Corridor

A.P. Moller – Maersk has announced the launch of FI2, a new dedicated ocean service linking Far East Asia to the Indian Subcontinent, with the inaugural westbound sailing departing Shanghai on June 4, 2026.

Service Overview

The weekly service will be operated with a fleet of six vessels, each with a nominal capacity of 4,500 TEU. The port rotation will cover Shanghai – Ningbo – Nansha – Tanjung Pelepas – Nhava Sheva – Pipavav – Port Qasim.

The service has been introduced in direct response to increasing customer demand for additional capacity on the China–India trade route, providing Indian importers and exporters with faster, reliable, high-frequency connections to key manufacturing and sourcing hubs across Northwest India.

Strategic Pipavav Gateway

A distinguishing feature of the FI2 service is its call at Pipavav on India’s northwestern coastline in Gujarat. Pipavav functions as a gateway to the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) rail network, enabling Maersk to offer customers a seamless, integrated logistics solution beyond the port gate.

Through DFC rail connectivity, cargo arriving at Pipavav can be efficiently transported inland to the National Capital Region, including Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, and surrounding industrial belts. This reduces transit times and ensures reliable delivery to final destinations.

The integrated solution makes FI2 particularly attractive for customers moving high-value and time-sensitive cargo in automotive, chemicals, retail, and technology sectors who require dependable, door-to-door supply chain solutions.

Industry Response

Thomas Theeuwes, Managing Director of Maersk South Asia, commented: “The FI2 is a direct response to what our customers want: more capacity, consistency, and connectivity on the China-India route. By combining the weekly ocean service with our rail solution via the DFC, we are going a step further and giving our customers the true integrated logistics experience”.

Network Expansion

The FI2 service joins Maersk’s existing FI3 service, together forming two direct Far East – India ocean services. Together, they deliver improved frequency options, greater routing flexibility, and enhanced resilience, ensuring customers can better plan and protect their supply chains from disruption.