The giant Danish container line has begun moving fresh papayas from the Mangalore port in Karnataka State to Jebel Ali, Dubai, on its container vessels, opening a new gateway for Indian fruit exports to the Persian Gulf region, IHS Media reported.
Maersk Line India said that this one-stop freight link is more economical and reliable than air cargo transportation.
"India is one of the largest producers of papayas in the world. This breakthrough shipment is likely to allow Indian traders to reach out to newer and larger markets, helping them to enable and tap the growth potential held by the fruit export market," Maersk Line Indian Subcontinent managing director Franck Dedenis is quoted as saying.
Globally, the Danish carrier has been rolling out its remote container management system for reefer cargo handling, and the new Indian service is meant to speed up that programme, the report said.