India and Pakistan have begun operating their revised shipping protocol, which was enacted way back in December 2006 replacing the earlier 1975 pact, by initiating cargo services between Mumbai and Karachi ports, reported India Public Sector News.

The state-run India's public sector maritime major Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) has begun container services to Karachi, apart from Europe, West Asia, the Asia-Pacific and the Mediterranean.

General Maritime Ltd (GML) will be the SCI agent for handling its core business in Pakistan.

The Minister of State for Shipping Mukul Roy, said the move would liberalise bilateral maritime business and India's maritime trade with Pakistan from the existing level of US$1.2 billion to $2 billion.

Cargonews Asia