SEOUL: HMM has announced the expansion of its Gulf-India-East Africa (GIA) service, moving from a single service loop to two dedicated loops from September 2026. The move is aimed at improving schedule reliability, strengthening connectivity and providing more stable logistics solutions for cargo moving between India and East Africa.
According to HMM, the restructuring will separate its services to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Mombasa, Kenya, enabling the carrier to proactively address port congestion and enhance schedule stability. By operating two dedicated loops, HMM expects to provide customers with more seamless and reliable connections across the India–East Africa trade corridor.
The expanded GIA network will also see Ocean Network Express (ONE) and Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) join the service as new partners. They will work alongside existing partners COSCO Shipping Lines, Pacific International Lines (PIL), and Interasia Lines, creating a six-carrier partnership designed to offer a stronger and more competitive service network.
New GIA Service Structure
The expanded Gulf-India-East Africa (GIA) service will operate through two dedicated loops:
Loop 1 – Dar es Salaam Service
Nhava Sheva, India → Mundra, India → Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Loop 2 – Mombasa Service
Nhava Sheva, India → Mundra, India → Mombasa, Kenya
The new structure is expected to provide customers with greater schedule consistency while strengthening direct connectivity between key Indian gateways and major East African ports.
The expansion underlines HMM’s efforts to continuously optimise its service network in response to changing trade patterns, port conditions and customer requirements. The six-carrier partnership is also expected to enhance the overall competitiveness and reach of the GIA service.
With the introduction of two dedicated loops, HMM is strengthening the India–East Africa shipping corridor and offering customers more reliable, stable and efficient logistics connections.
HMM’s expanded GIA service is set to bring greater reliability and stronger connectivity to the India–East Africa trade from September 2026.
