The SCI began operating this new independent weekly service from March 2008 to the Gulf, with three owned 1600 TEU (1800 TEU nominal) vessels, on a round voyage schedule of 21 days.
This service covers 'India & the Indian Subcontinent-West Asia Gulf sector, catering to the trade requirement in the Gulf markets, the Far East, Red Sea and UK-Continent, through transshipment at Colombo. The upper Gulf locations are also covered by feeder services ex-Jebel Ali.
In December 2008, the SMILE service was expanded to carry feeder and coastal cargoes on the west coast of India.
Port rotation for this service is:
Colombo/Mundra/Jebel Ali/ Mundra/Pipavav/JNP/Cochin/Tuticorin.
Through the SMILE service, the SCI has commenced a coastal service on the west coast of India between Mundra, Cochin and Tuticorin from December 2008.