Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla has welcomed the maiden call of MV ESL Shekou under Emirates Shipping Line’s ECSX service at Kandla International Container Terminal (KICT) on 18 June 2026, marking a significant boost to the port’s mainline connectivity and global trade linkages. The post‑Panamax container vessel, with a gross tonnage of 66,280 tonnes and a length overall (LOA) of 276 metres, underscores the growing confidence of international carriers in Kandla’s infrastructure and cargo potential.
Vessel profile and service details
MV ESL Shekou (IMO 9290945) is a post‑Panamax container ship built in 2004, currently sailing under the flag of Portugal (Madeira). The vessel measures about 276 metres in length and 40 metres in beam, with a summer deadweight capacity of around 71,665 tonnes and a nominal container capacity in the range of 5,800+ TEU, making it well‑suited for long‑haul, regional mainline services.
The ship forms part of Emirates Shipping Line’s regional fleet, deployed on loops connecting key Asian hubs with Indian ports. The ECSX service is designed to enhance weekly connectivity between China, South East Asia and the Indian subcontinent, offering exporters and importers faster transit times and more direct port pairings.
Strategic significance for Kandla and hinterland trade
The maiden call of ESL Shekou at KICT strengthens Kandla’s position as a key gateway for containerised cargo serving northern and western India’s industrial hinterland. By bringing a post‑Panamax mainline vessel into the fold, DPA Kandla is signalling its readiness to handle larger ships and higher volumes on direct services, reducing dependence on transhipment hubs in the Gulf and South Asia.
For trade stakeholders in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the Delhi–NCR belt, the ECSX call at Kandla opens up improved export-import connectivity for commodities such as agri products, textiles, engineering goods, petrochemicals and industrial inputs. Enhanced sailings by Emirates Shipping Line also provide greater schedule reliability and slot availability for both gateway and ICD‑routed cargo.
Strengthening Emirates Shipping Line’s India footprint
Emirates Shipping Line has been steadily expanding its presence in India, supported by offices across major maritime and inland hubs including Mumbai, Mundra, Nhava Sheva, Tuticorin, Visakhapatnam and Ahmedabad. Deploying ESL Shekou on the ECSX service into Kandla reflects the line’s strategy of deepening coverage on India’s western seaboard and tapping growing volumes at emerging container gateways beyond the traditional metros.
With post‑Panamax capacity and modern container‑handling capabilities, ESL Shekou’s regular deployment on the ECSX loop is expected to improve service frequency and network flexibility for Indian shippers. The call also aligns with broader trends of carriers upsizing vessels on Indian trades as export volumes and import demand grow across key sectors.
