Samudera Shipping is expanding its regional container network with the launch of a new India Red Sea (IRS) service connecting India’s west coast with Sokhna in Egypt.
The new service will operate on the rotation Nhava Sheva–Mundra–Sokhna–Nhava Sheva, providing a direct maritime connection between two major Indian container gateways and Egypt’s Red Sea port. The service is scheduled to commence in October 2026.
Samudera said the service will operate on a fortnightly basis, with Nhava Sheva calls handled at BMCT, Mundra calls at MICT and Sokhna operations through the DP World terminal.
The transit time from Nhava Sheva to Sokhna is expected to be around 15 days, giving exporters and importers an additional direct option for moving containerised cargo between India and Egypt.
The maiden voyage is scheduled to depart Nhava Sheva aboard the 1,063-TEU Lan Hai Zhi Yuan, with an estimated arrival at Sokhna on October 1. A second vessel is expected to be introduced at a later stage as the service develops.
The new route strengthens Samudera’s presence in the India–Middle East and Red Sea markets. The company has maintained operations in India, including at Mundra and other western Indian ports, as part of its broader regional network.
For Indian shippers, the service provides another option for reaching Egypt and markets connected through the Red Sea. Sokhna’s location on the Red Sea also offers access to Egypt’s wider logistics network and onward connections.
Samudera’s latest network expansion comes as carriers continue to adjust service patterns across the Indian subcontinent, Red Sea and Mediterranean markets. Additional direct and regional services are being introduced as shipping lines respond to changing cargo flows and demand for alternative connectivity.
The IRS service is therefore expected to provide additional capacity and routing flexibility for exporters and importers trading between India and Egypt, while strengthening Samudera’s regional container shipping network.