Maersk adds FI2 China-India shipping route via Pipavav, DFC rail link
The FI2 service joins Maersk’s existing FI3 service, with the two together forming direct ocean connections between the Far East and India.
GLOBAL – Maersk has announced the launch of FI2, a new weekly ocean service connecting Far East Asia to the Indian Subcontinent, with the first westbound sailing departing Shanghai on 4 June 2026.
The service responds to growing customer demand for increased capacity on the China-India trade route.
The weekly service will operate with a fleet of six vessels, each with a nominal capacity of 4,500 TEUs, with a port rotation of Shanghai – Ningbo – Nansha – Tanjung Pelepas – Nhava Sheva – Pipavav – Port Qasim.
Pipavav Gateway and Dedicated Freight Corridor Integration
A defining feature of the FI2 service is its call at Pipavav on India’s northwestern coastline in Gujarat.
Pipavav serves as a gateway to the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) rail network, enabling Maersk to offer customers an integrated logistics solution beyond the port gate.
Through DFC rail connectivity, cargo arriving at Pipavav can be transported inland to the National Capital Region (NCR), including Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, and surrounding industrial areas. According to Maersk, this reduces transit times and supports more reliable inland delivery.
The DFC rail network offers dedicated freight lines that bypass congested passenger routes, ensuring predictable transit times for temperature-sensitive shipments.
High-Value Cargo Sectors and Network Complementarity
The company said the service is aimed at customers moving high-value, time-sensitive cargo across sectors including automotive, chemicals, retail, and technology.
The FI2 service joins Maersk’s existing FI3 service, with the two together forming direct ocean connections between the Far East and India.
According to the company, the services are intended to offer improved frequency options, greater routing flexibility, and additional resilience for customers managing supply chains between Asia and India.
Direct Statement from Leadership
“The FI2 is a direct response to what our customers want: more capacity, consistency, and connectivity on the China-India route. By combining the weekly ocean service with our rail solution via the DFC, we are going a step further and giving our customers the true integrated logistics experience,” said Thomas Theeuwes, Managing Director of Maersk South Asia.
Moreover, by complementing the existing FI3 service, Maersk provides customers managing perishable supply chains with enhanced scheduling flexibility.
Lastly, this service strengthens regional connectivity while enabling a seamless transition between sea and land logistics for high-value, time-sensitive goods.
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