Ocean Network Express' ONE Modern, the first ship on the ocean carrier's West India North America (WIN) service, called on the Port of Savannah Tuesday, establishing the latest connection between India and Georgia Ports.

"This new offering from ONE is a recognition of India's growing role as a manufacturing hub," said Griff Lynch, president and CEO of Georgia Port Authority.

"As the world's most populous country, with a growing consumer class and significant infrastructure investment, India represents a remarkable opportunity for trade via Savannah."

Lynch said deliveries from India to the US East Coast are more efficient than US West Coast routes.

Even with current vessel diversions around Africa, GPA reaches inland markets across the US Southeast and Midwest three to five days faster than U.S. West Coast ports.

"The WIN Service offers our valued customers a weekly routing from Nhava Sheva and Mundra to the US East Coast. This new service to the Port of Savannah demonstrates ONE's commitment to this important and growing market, providing reliability and flexibility to our customers," said Dan Sheehy, senior vice president of product & network of ONE.

The new WIN service offers a weekly route from Bin Qasim, Hazira, Nhava Sheva and Mundra to New York and Savannah. 

The addition of the WIN service from ONE brings the Georgia Ports Authority's direct weekly India services to four, while a total of eight services connect Savannah to the Indian Subcontinent.

The service is provided by a fleet of nine vessels, all of which are operated by ONE.