Maiden voyage later this month expected to strengthen cargo connectivity with Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Maritime connectivity between mainland India and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands is set to improve with the induction of a new cargo vessel, APJ Karan 2. The ship is scheduled to undertake its maiden voyage later this month from Kolkata to Sri Vijaya Puram.
The vessel has been acquired by Apeejay Shipping, a part of the Apeejay Surendra Group, to introduce a dedicated scheduled cargo service connecting Kolkata with Sri Vijaya Puram, formerly known as Port Blair.
With a carrying capacity of around 3,000 tonnes, APJ Karan 2 is a multi-purpose container vessel designed to handle different types of cargo. It is equipped with two onboard cranes, each with a lifting capacity of 60 tonnes. This will allow the ship to transport containerised cargo, bulk goods and project materials efficiently.
According to the company, the vessel is expected to begin its maiden voyage in mid-March 2026. After the first journey, the ship will operate regular scheduled services on the Kolkata–Sri Vijaya Puram route. The new service is expected to strengthen logistics infrastructure for the islands and support trade, construction and development activities.
The launch of the vessel is part of the company’s broader fleet expansion programme. In 2025, Apeejay Shipping added two Kamsarmax bulk carriers — APJ Priya 2 and APJ Priti 2 — as part of its fleet modernisation efforts under the Government of India’s Sagarmala Programme.
Operations in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands will be coordinated by Ebrahim Jadwet of the Y.E. Jadwet Group, who will serve as the local associate for the service.
Industry experts believe that the introduction of this cargo route will help streamline the movement of goods between the mainland and the islands, ensuring faster and more reliable transportation for businesses and infrastructure projects in the region.
New Cargo Vessel ‘APJ Karan 2’ to Launch Kolkata–Sri Vijaya Puram Shipping Service
