HAI PHONG (VIETNAM): Hai An Container Transport (Hai An) has officially launched its Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) services connecting Vietnam with the key Indian ports of Chennai and Kolkata, marking a significant step in the company’s strategy to strengthen its presence in the Indian market and expand its international service network.
The new NVOCC services will enhance cargo connectivity between Vietnam and eastern and southern India, providing exporters and importers with an additional logistics option for moving containerised cargo between the two rapidly growing Asian markets. The addition of Chennai and Kolkata to Hai An’s service network is expected to support growing bilateral trade and provide greater flexibility for customers seeking reliable connections to and from India.
The launch forms part of Hai An’s broader international expansion strategy, as the company continues to strengthen its regional network in line with the growth of its fleet and increasing demand for intra-Asia container shipping services.
Hai An currently operates a fleet of 20 owned vessels and is continuing to invest in fleet expansion. The company has two newbuilding programmes comprising four 3,000-TEU vessels and four 7,000-TEU vessels. The 3,000-TEU vessels are expected to be delivered by the end of 2028, while the 7,000-TEU vessels are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2029.
The additional capacity will provide Hai An with greater flexibility to expand its service coverage, increase sailing frequency and explore new markets across Asia and beyond. The company is currently ranked among the Top 100 container shipping lines globally by Alphaliner, reflecting its growing presence in the international liner shipping sector.
As Vietnam’s largest domestic shipping line, Hai An has established a strong position in the Vietnamese market and continues to develop its service network. The company is focusing on further strengthening its presence in the northern Vietnamese market, while actively researching and developing opportunities in southern Vietnam as its fleet capacity expands.
The launch of NVOCC services to Chennai and Kolkata represents an important extension of this strategy. Chennai, one of India’s leading maritime gateways on the east coast, serves a large industrial and manufacturing hinterland encompassing automotive, engineering, electronics and other major industries. Kolkata, meanwhile, provides Hai An with access to the important eastern Indian market and its extensive regional hinterland.
The new services are expected to facilitate smoother movement of cargo between Vietnam and India, while offering customers greater choice in container logistics and international supply chain solutions. Improved connectivity can also support businesses seeking to diversify sourcing, manufacturing and distribution networks across the wider Asian region.
Hai An Container Transport is represented in India by Samsara Shipping Private Limited, which serves as the company’s General Shipping Agent in India. The partnership will support Hai An’s commercial and operational activities in the Indian market and strengthen its engagement with shippers, consignees, freight forwarders and other logistics stakeholders.
The expansion comes at a time when trade and supply-chain links across Asia are undergoing significant growth, driven by increasing manufacturing activity, regionalisation of supply chains and stronger economic ties between Asian economies. Enhanced direct and NVOCC connectivity between Vietnam and India can provide additional opportunities for businesses engaged in bilateral and regional trade.
With its growing fleet, newbuilding pipeline and expanding international network, Hai An is positioning itself to play a larger role in the intra-Asian container shipping market. The launch of services to Chennai and Kolkata is expected to further strengthen the company’s footprint in India and contribute to closer maritime and logistics connectivity between Vietnam and India.
The development also highlights the growing importance of Indian ports in regional container shipping networks and reflects the increasing interest of Asian carriers and logistics providers in the country’s expanding trade and supply-chain market.
