IndiaLinx™ marks its first anniversary

July 15, 2008: IndiaLinx™, the container rail freight service connecting India’s commercial centres of New Delhi and Mumbai, recently marked its first anniversary. During its first year of operation, IndiaLinx™ has moved over 31,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) and has had a steady capacity utilisation rate of over 95%.

Despite infrastructural congestion, certainty of delivery is a hallmark of this unique service. IndiaLinx™ provides reliable rail connections with container ships and significantly shortens inland transit times. It also provides first and last mile connectivity via trucking services to and from inland container depots.

For shippers, IndiaLinx™ is a single point of contact for the coordination of the inland and ocean portions of their transportation in India.

IndiaLinx™, a joint venture between NOL and Hindustan Infrastructure Projects and Engineering (HIPE), has a 20-year concession to operate container train services on a pan-India basis under an agreement with the Indian Ministry of Rail. The service is supporting the growing import and export markets in India by providing rapid and reliable transportation.

The synergy between IndiaLinx™ and NOL’s container shipping arm APL, has resulted in a steady increase in volume on the service.

In September last year, dedicated refrigerated container train services commenced from Loni inland container depot to Nhava Sheva port. The first full reefer train, carrying over 40 APL reefer FEU (forty-foot equivalent units) and two power packs, achieved the maximum capacity for a container train service.

NOL is the first private sector enterprise to offer these services in India, previously only available from the state-owned Concor which operated as a monopoly.

In the coming months, IndiaLinx™ is poised for continued growth, with train services from other container terminals in the National Capital Region of Delhi to start later this year. The additional services will complement the APL network that serves the Indian market.

For more information about APL IndiaLinx™, visit www.aplindialinx.com.

NOL