Hapag-Lloyd is launching two new services in India as it expects the country’s container market to grow further.

The German shipping firm said the two new services, the South East India - Europe Express (IEX) and the Middle East-India-Africa Express (MIAX), will start operations in October.

Hapag-Lloyd said the IEX, commencing on October 26, will provide the "only direct connection" between South and East India and Europe in the market. The MIAX will start its service on October 12, to support the growing demand for transport capacity between India and Africa.

The IEX weekly service will be jointly operated with ONE, YML and COSCO with nine 6,500 TEU vessels. Hapag-Lloyd will contribute four ships. 

The MIAX, meanwhile, will be jointly operated by Hapag-Lloyd and ONE. A total of nine vessels with a capacity of 2,800 TEU each, will serve on this new route. Hapag Lloyd will provide five ships for the route.

"The launch of two new services  — IEX and MIAX — will create stronger opportunities for EXIM cargo and for Indian manufacturers to cater to global markets," said Rizwan Soomar, CEO and managing director, DP-World Indian sub-continent.

“In recent years we have seen strong growth in our transport volumes and market share, and today have roughly a market share of around 9%. There is great potential for further growth in India and the new IEX and MIAX services are a step into that direction” said Dheeraj Bhatia, Senior Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd's Region Middle East.