SeaLead launches new liner service Colombo.

SeaLead Shipping officially launched its new direct liner service in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) on October 2, 2024, at the Port of Colombo. The service, named the Far East India Djibouti (FID) service, enhances maritime connectivity between the Far East, India, and East Africa. The inauguration ceremony saw prominent representatives from both SeaLead and SLPA, including Mr. Bongso Basheer, General Manager of Liner Management at SeaLead, and Mr. Lal Weerasinghe, Additional Managing Director of Operations at SLPA.

The FID service began operations on September 5, 2024, offering weekly liner services that connect key ports in China, India, and Djibouti. The westbound route starts in Shanghai, making stops at Ningbo, Nansha, Port Klang, Colombo, Nhava Sheva, and Mundra, before reaching Djibouti. The return journey links Djibouti back to Shanghai. This service is designed to streamline trade and reduce transit times between major global trade routes, with Colombo positioned as a key hub.

The launch of the FID service marks a significant step in SeaLead’s network expansion and solidifies the Port of Colombo’s role as a central player in global shipping. Mr. Prabath Malavige, Managing Director of SLPA, emphasized that the collaboration with SeaLead aligns with efforts to strengthen Colombo’s position as a premier maritime hub, enhancing trade connectivity and reinforcing the port’s strategic importance in the global supply chain.