Greek shipping company Neptune Lines has decided to launch a short sea vehicle transportation service in the Middle East region, which would link six Arabian Gulf states, according to Automotive Supply Chain.
The service is expected to connect United Arab Emirates, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain through a regular, two-loop service in the initial phase of the project.
The first loop would consist of the following calls: Jebel Ali (Dubai) – Bandar Abbas (Iran) or Sohar (Oman) (alternating) – Umm Qasr (Iraq) –Kuwait, and Khalifa Port (Abu Dhabi), while the second loop would depart Khalifa (Abu Dhabi), and call at Doha (Qatar) – Bahrein – Dammam (Saudi Arabia) on to Jebel Ali (Dubai).
The move comes as a response to a rising market demand for vehicles transportation in the Middle East region, president and CEO of Neptune Lines, Melina Travlos , was cited as saying.
Neptune Lines provides short sea transportation solutions to almost 20 countries and more than 30 ports in the Mediterranean and Black Seas, according to data provided by the company.