CULines strengthens India–Northeast Asia connectivity with launch of new KCI weekly service

New Korea–China–India Service to Provide Direct Access Between Northeast Asia and the Indian Subcontinent

SHANGHAI : CULines has announced the launch of its new Korea–China–India (KCI) Service, a weekly liner service designed to strengthen direct maritime connectivity between Northeast Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. The service, scheduled to commence in mid-July 2026, marks another significant step in expanding regional trade links and enhancing supply chain efficiency across Asia.

The KCI service will provide customers with a reliable, direct shipping solution connecting key ports in South Korea, China, Malaysia, India and Pakistan. By integrating this service into its diversified global liner network, CULines will also offer seamless onward connectivity to the Middle East, the Red Sea and the East Mediterranean, creating broader market access for exporters and importers across Northeast Asia and the Indian Subcontinent.

As one of the joint venture partners in the service, CULines will deploy the 6,700 TEU container vessel MV Racine on the weekly rotation, reinforcing its commitment to delivering dependable and efficient shipping solutions to global customers.

The maiden voyage of the KCI service is scheduled to depart Busan on 16 July 2026.

The service will operate on the following port rotation:

Busan – Gwangyang – Shanghai – Ningbo – Shekou – Port Klang (West Port) – Nhava Sheva – Mundra – Karachi – Port Klang (West Port) – Busan

The inclusion of India’s major container gateways—Nhava Sheva and Mundra—will further strengthen the country’s integration with key manufacturing and export hubs in Northeast Asia, while facilitating faster cargo movement, reduced transit times and improved schedule reliability.

The new service is expected to benefit a wide range of industries by supporting the movement of manufactured goods, consumer products, industrial equipment, chemicals and other containerised cargo. It also reflects the growing trade relationship between India and Northeast Asia, supported by increasing demand for resilient, diversified and efficient maritime logistics networks.

With the introduction of the KCI service, CULines continues to expand its regional footprint and enhance customer access to strategic global markets, reaffirming its commitment to delivering flexible, reliable and customer-focused shipping solutions.