• Folk Maritime is the first Saudi company to commence a new service expanding maritime connectivity between Saudi Arabia, India, and Iraq through the Arabian Gulf.
• The service will begin as a 14-day rotation and will gradually upgrade to a weekly schedule.
• Starting on October 30th, the new service positions Dammam as a competitive logistics hub, aligning with Vision 2030.
Dammam, Saudi Arabia; October 30th, 2024: Folk Maritime Services Company, a PIF company and one of the region’s emerging leaders in regional liner and feeder services, has announced the launch of a new service route connecting key Arabian Gulf ports, including Dammam, Umm Qasr, and two of India’s largest commercial ports, Nhava Sheva and Mundra.
The India Gulf Service will make its first call in Dammam on October 30th, using m/v Asterios, a modern 1,800 TEU container vessel. The vessel will carry import cargo from India before proceeding to Umm Qasr. Initially scheduled as a 14-day rotation, the service will gradually increase to a weekly schedule by December.
This new route follows the launch of the India Red Sea service in September. Both routes strengthen trade ties with India, facilitating the movement of consumer goods, petrochemicals, and other essential commodities, while reinforcing the growing “friend-sourcing” partnership between Saudi Arabia and India. Connecting Arabian Gulf ports enhances regional connectivity with international markets, focusing on Asian, African, and European trade corridors.
Dammam ranks among the top 10 ports in the Middle East, handling 2.7 million TEUs annually, making it a vital player in both regional and global supply chains.
Announcing the new India Gulf Service, Poul Hestbaek, Chief Executive Officer of Folk Maritime, said: “We are excited to introduce our first service to the Arabian Gulf, which fills a critical gap in the logistics supply chain and supports our mission to connect ports, industries, and world-leading liners. Opening this route aligns with Vision 2030 to position Saudi Arabia as a leading logistics hub. It strategically places Dammam as a key player in meeting the Vision 2030 goal and marks a significant milestone for Folk Maritime as the first Saudi company to offer this service.”
Kim Larsen, Chief Commercial Officer of Folk Maritime, added: “We are focused on expanding our service routes to meet the evolving needs of our customers. The launch of the India Gulf Express Service is a major achievement for us as it improves our coverage range and provides our customers with more solutions.”
Folk Maritime is the first Saudi company to provide comprehensive regional connectivity, covering all of Saudi Arabia’s ports. Through these new routes, the company is committed to delivering reliable, efficient, and strategically significant maritime services to meet the growing demands of global trade.
Since its launch, Folk Maritime has established four unique routes, each supported by dedicated vessels, exemplifying rapid growth and operational agility. This latest expansion further positions the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub, facilitating regional and international trade and contributing to the Vision 2030 goals of economic diversification.