Hong Kong: The first sailing of the new container carrier Emirates Shipping Line will be from Colombo on May 24, 2006, marking the launch of the services and operations of the company.

Subject to FMC approval, the launch of the new service - Indus Express (IDX) is in partnership with several key partners where Emirates Shipping Line will provide two 3,000 TEU ships out of eight.

The port rotation of the new IDX service is: Colombo, Tuticorin, Nhava Sheva, Mundra, Barcelona, New York, Norfolk, Charleston, Barcelona, Colombo.

Vikas Khan, CEO of Emirates Shipping Line, said that the sailing marks the first step in building a comprehensive network of services connecting strategic commercial and trading centres around the world.

"The launch of Emirates Shipping Line is a proud moment for everyone connected with this shipping line. This is just the beginning and we will be expanding our service, offering to meet needs of our customers around the world.

"The strength of Emirates Shipping Line is our strategic positioning in the dynamic markets of the Middle East, China and India. With our network and understanding of these key areas we can provide world class services to our customers." said Khan.

Emirates Shipping Agencies (India) Private Ltd, a fully owned subsidiary of the Emirates Shipping group, led by Vijay Minocha, Managing Director, will represent the interests of Emirates Shipping Line in India.

By including the Indian ports of Tuticorin, Nhava Sheva, Mundra in the port rotation of the new IDX service, the company is making a clear and powerful commitment to the growth of transportation business into and out of the Middle East, Indian subcontinent and China, linking it to the rest of the world.

Emirates Shipping Line FZE has appointed Sterling Navigation Agencies (Pvt) Ltd as its agency in Sri Lanka; Star Navigation Sdn Bhd in Malaysia; Starship Agencies (MAL) Pte. Ltd in Singapore; and PT. Maer Translindo Pratama in Indonesia. This reflects the company's strategy of further developing its distribution network around the India Ocean

Emirates Shipping Line FZE is registered in Dubai Maritime City of UAE and commercially headquartered in Dubai and Hong Kong, two of the busiest commercial hubs in the world. Operated by a team rich in experience of managing maritime trade, the company has a focused goal of attaining superior service quality and customer intimacy.

To learn more please visit our website www.emiratesline.com

For queries kindly contact media@emiratesline.com

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