The trade relationship between India and the UAE, which has spanned centuries, is of significant importance. Traditionally, the trade was dominated by items such as dates, pearls, and fish. However, the discovery of oil in the UAE brought about a significant shift in the trade dynamics. This long-standing partnership sets the context for understanding the main methods of shipping from the United Arab Emirates to India.
Shipping from the UAE to India
Sea freight from the UAE to India
Both the UAE and India have access to the Arabian Sea, which is the perfect environment for easy access by the sea. It’s very popular and handles over 70% of India’s trading in value terms. Marine transport is one of the cheapest modes of transport for shipping large quantities of goods.
When it comes to sea freight, one of the most crucial decisions you’ll need to make is choosing between FCL (full container load) and LCL (less than container load). This decision can significantly impact the safety and transit time of your goods. Opting for FCL means your goods will be the sole occupant of a container, ensuring their safety and security. On the other hand, LCL requires you to share container space with other shippers, which might lead to longer transit times and potential delays.
How long does sea shipping from the UAE to India take?
On average, shipping from the UAE to India by sea takes 15-35 days.
Main ports in the United Arab Emirates
- The Port of Jebel Ali, also known as ‘Mina Jebel Ali,’ is a deep port located in Jebel Ali, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is the world’s ninth busiest port, the largest man-made harbor, and the biggest and, by far, busiest port in the Middle East. This port is a key gateway for the international shipping industry, providing access to a market of 1.5 billion people as it is the gateway between the Western hemisphere and the Far East.
- Port of Rashid, also known as “Mina Rashid,” was Dubai’s first commercial port; in 2018, cargo operations moved to Jebel Ali Port.
- Khalifa Port is Abu Dhabi Ports’ flagship deepwater port. It is a gateway to Abu Dhabi and handles most of the emirate’s container traffic. Khalifa Port has a Phase 1 capacity of 2.5 million TEUs and 12 million tons of general cargo a year and an expected capacity of 15 million TEUs and 35 million tons by 2030.
Main ports in India
- Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva Port) is the biggest government port in India. It handles over 5 million TEUs annually.
- Mundra Port is the largest private port in India.
- Mumbai Port is a natural deep-water harbor that spreads over 400 square kilometers. It was India’s first port to handle over 2 million TEUs annually.
- Chennai Port, formerly known as Madras Port, is the second-largest container port in India, behind Mumbai’s Nhava Sheva. It is also the largest one in the Bay of Bengal and the third-oldest port among the 13 major ports of India.
Air transport from the UAE to India
Air freight is the fastest and safest way to transport your goods to the United Arab Emirates, even if there is no direct connection. However, it is also the most expensive and limited mode of transport. Air transport is highly recommended when transporting valuables, flowers, food, plants, and pharmaceuticals.
How long does air shipping from the UEA to India take?
It takes 3-8 days to ship air cargo from the UAE to India.
Main airports in the United Arab Emirates
- Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the primary international airport serving Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is the world’s busiest airport by international passenger traffic.
- Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) is currently the second-largest airport in the United Arab Emirates and one of the fastest-growing airport hubs globally. Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) serves over 102 destinations in 56 countries.
- Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) is the third largest Middle East airfreight hub in cargo tonnage.
Main airports in India
- Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is the biggest airport in India, located in Delhi. It is also the busiest airport in the country in terms of cargo traffic, overtaking Mumbai in late 2015.
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) is the country’s second-biggest and busiest airport after Delhi. It has two operating terminals and handles about 950 aircraft movements daily.
- Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) is India’s third busiest airport. The airport opened in May 2008 to address increased congestion at HAL airport in Bangalore.
- Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) is an international airport that serves Hyderabad. It is the largest airport in India by area and the fourth busiest airport in India by passenger traffic.
Rail transportation in the United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates has a very limited rail network. There are some solutions for rail cargo transported from the UAE to India:
- Subsea Rail Link between UAE and India: The National Advisor Bureau in the UAE has proposed a futuristic project to build a subsea rail connection to India. The Fujairah-Mumbai Subsea Tunnel Project would involve an ultra-speed subsea railway to improve the bilateral trade between the two nations. The speed of the trains envisioned would be 600-1,000 km/h. The 1,826-kilometer distance between Mumbai and Fujairah could be covered in less than four hours.
- Etihad Rail: Etihad Rail aims to link the UAE’s principal centers of industry and population and to link these centers with other railways throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council. When complete, the network will be approximately 1,200 kilometers long, connect all seven of its emirates, and link the UAE to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia via Ghuweifat on the west, running to Fujairah on the east coast.
- The Gulf Railway: The GCC Railway is a proposed railway system to connect all six Gulf Cooperation Council member states in Eastern Arabia. It is scheduled to be completed by 2025.
How much does shipping from the UAE to India cost?
Shipping costs depend on several key factors. They differ depending on the transportation method, the size and type of cargo, the route, the distance, and the forwarder you choose. The best way to save money on shipping is to compare prices from different forwarders. ShipHub.co is a website that allows you to do so for free. Just sign up, fill in the form, and get free quotes from reliable forwarders.
