Maersk is offering Indian shippers, particularly those moving reefer cargo, a specialised service for direct Europe and Mediterranean connections via Salalah in Oman, reported New York's Journal of Commerce.

The move comes as carriers explore shorter Red Sea trade routes amid demand for faster transits. Freight forwarder sources in Mumbai said Maersk is using UAE-based short-haul operator Safeen Feeders, a subsidiary of AD Ports, to transship cargo from Salalah. Current contracted volumes are estimated at 600-700 TEU per week.

Maersk confirmed its shuttle services from the Mediterranean to Jeddah but declined to comment on Salalah arrangements handled by third-party feeders. The company operates three Jeddah shuttles but no mainliner or shuttle service through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Salalah is a key hub for the Gemini Cooperation network, including Maersk's ME1 and ME11 services linking West India to Europe and the Mediterranean. The new product resembles the company's named account product, offering client-specific routing at premium rates.

The initiative is significant for India's grape export season between January and April. Sources said Maersk is approaching major exporters to secure time-sensitive shipments. Last season, the carrier moved about 3,000 containers of grapes to Europe, down from its historical 40 per cent market share.