Folk Maritime Services Company, a Public Investment Fund company and one of the region’s emerging leaders in providing regional liner and feeder services, has launched 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 Express Service had its first Dammam call on Oct. 30, by m/v Asterios, a modern 1,800 TEU container vessel. The vessel carried imported cargo from India before proceeding to Umm Qasr. The service, which initially began as a 14-day service, will gradually ramp up to become a weekly call by December.
The new route follows the launch of the India Red Sea service in September. Both routes serve to strengthen trade ties with India, facilitating the movement of consumer goods, petrochemicals, and other essential commodities, reinforcing the growing “friend-sourcing” partnership between Saudi Arabia and India. Connecting Arabian Gulf ports enhances regional connectivity and 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.
Poul Hestbaek, chief executive 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, a key player in meeting the Vision 2030 goal, as a logistics hub center 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 a company as it improves our range of coverage and provides our customers with more solutions.”
Folk Maritime is the first Saudi company to provide comprehensive connectivity in the region, covering all of the Kingdom’s ports. Through these new routes, the company is committed to delivering reliable, efficient, and strategically important maritime services to meet the growing demands of global trade.
Since its launch, Folk Maritime has established four unique new routes, each supported by dedicated vessels, exemplifying rapid growth and operational agility. This most recent expansion of Folk Maritime’s services further positions Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub, facilitating regional and international trade and contributing to the Vision 2030 goals of economic diversification.
