ESL and Wan Hai to launch India-Med East 2 Service via Suez and Alexandria
TAIPEI : In a move aimed at bolstering maritime trade between South Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean, Emirates Shipping Line and Wan Hai Lines have announced the launch of a new joint shipping service — the India–East Mediterranean 2 (IM2). The service is scheduled to commence operations on June 1, 2025, and represents a strategic step toward expanding port connectivity and improving regional transit efficiency.
The port rotation includes Mundra (India), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), transit via the Suez Canal, Alexandria (Egypt), and Mersin (Turkey). The first sailing is scheduled to depart from Mundra on June 1, with the service expected to offer improved port coverage and more reliable transit schedules for importers and exporters navigating the Indian–Mediterranean corridor.
The IM2 service will bridge key ports across India, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey, opening new channels of trade and fostering economic integration across the India–East Med corridor.
In a statement, ESL and Wan Hai described the collaboration as a strategic move to expand Wan Hai’s service footprint in the Mediterranean, while reinforcing ESL’s presence in emerging markets. The partnership is expected to provide a competitive option for shippers seeking alternatives to congested or disrupted trade lanes.
Wan Hai Lines, founded in 1965 in Taiwan, has grown into one of Asia’s leading container carriers, operating a modern fleet of 72 vessels with a combined capacity of approximately 180,000 TEUs. The company has steadily expanded its global reach, with services spanning Asia, the Americas, and Europe.
Emirates Shipping Line, based in Dubai and established in 2006, maintains a global network across 30 countries with more than 70 offices worldwide. The company focuses on regional trade lanes with growing demand, particularly between the Indian Subcontinent, Middle East, and Asia.
The launch of the IM2 Service underscores growing trade flows between South Asia and the Mediterranean basin and supports regional efforts to diversify shipping routes amid ongoing geopolitical disruptions. With Egypt’s Suez Canal and Alexandria Port playing a central role in the rotation, the service is also expected to boost transshipment activity and reinforce Egypt’s strategic position in global maritime trade.
