Qatar fixes regular direct calls with India

Qatar continues to strike new shipping arrangements in the wake of its sudden diplomatic isolation.

With many Arab countries cutting ties with Qatar last week over its alleged support of terrorist groups the country has moved fast to foster new supply routes. As well as fixing two direct sailing routes from ports in Oman to Doha, a new direct service has kicked off linking Doha with the Indian ports of Mundra and Nhava Sheva.

Indian ships will arrive at Hamad port every Friday, with the first shipment expected to bring in 710 containers, said Qatar’s Ministry of Transport.

Prior to the diplomatic spat, Qatar was heavily reliant on transhipment cargoes via Dubai, but the United Arab Emirates is one of the nine nations to have cut ties with Qatar.