The service is expected to reduce dependence on traditional transshipment hubs such as Colombo and Singapore, where containers are typically offloaded and reloaded onto long-haul “mother vessels.” By bypassing these intermediate steps, the new route aims to streamline logistics for exporters and importers.
As part of its rotation, the PEARL service will call at major Chinese ports including Xiamen, Nansha, and Yantian—important hubs for imports into India.
On the eastbound leg, the route will cover Nhava Sheva, Mundra, Karachi, Colombo, Singapore, Haiphong, Xiamen, Nansha, Yantian and Los Angeles.
In the westbound direction, the service will connect Los Angeles with Gwangyang, Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, Shekou, Singapore, Nhava Sheva, Mundra and Karachi.
The revised Indian Subcontinent rotation will take effect from the next sailing with the vessel APL Qingdao, the company said.
Industry sources estimate that the direct service could save about $80–$100 per twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) in port handling costs by eliminating transshipment. Additional savings may arise from lower feeder, storage and vessel-related charges, which often escalate during congestion at hub ports.
However, transit time may increase slightly. Shipments from Nhava Sheva to Los Angeles typically take 25–45 days via routes passing through the Suez Canal or around the Cape of Good Hope, traversing the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The new route via the Indian Ocean, South China Sea and North Pacific Ocean could add about a week to the journey, sources said.
The service is expected to handle a broad cargo mix, including textiles, chemicals, machinery, oils and electronics.
According to Tez Contractor, Director of MCC Container Lines Pvt Ltd, Mumbai, the introduction of CMA CGM’s enhanced PEARL service marks a significant step for India’s export sector, offering a long-awaited direct link from Nhava Sheva and Mundra to the US West Coast. By removing the complexities of transhipment, the weekly service is expected to provide greater reliability and efficiency for exporters targeting North American markets.
Published on March 22, 2026