United Arab Emirates-headquartered port and logistic operator DP World has strengthened its trade links between India and the Middle East with the acquisition of a container vessel.

DP World’s Marine Services business, Shipping Solutions, has acquired the DP World Chennai, a 5,000+ TEU container vessel, and integrated it into its Red Sea-Gulf-India service.

The vessel has been deployed on the route with its maiden call at Jebel Ali, lifting Shipping Solutions’ owned capacity to over 6 million TEU.

Ganesh Raj, global COO, marine services, DP World, said: “The acquisition of DP World Chennai enhances our capability to offer consistent and scheduled connections throughout the India-Middle East corridor. This initiative is not solely focused on expanding capacity; its core purpose is to enhance our product flexibility, thereby reassuring our customers that their shipments will be delivered as expected.”

DP World said the acquisition forms part of its strategy to establish a robust and varied network through a combination of proprietary assets, sustained investment, and enhanced synergy between port and marine services.

DP World has also outlined plans to invest $5bln in India’s trade infrastructure in the coming years.

Shipping Solutions has also signed a memorandum of understanding with India’s Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL), a government of India enterprise under the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways, to collaborate on developing and scaling sustainable coastal and shortsea shipping services across the country.