The company started the loop on Friday, linking Chennai, Colombo in Sri Lanka and Yangon.

It is using a 1,200-teu feedership for fortnightly calls.

The move is part of the government’s Look East policy to re-start scheduled services with Mynamar.

The shipowner was hoping to launch the run in March if state subsidies were forthcoming.

It wanted the government to hand over INR 300m ($4.8m)