CSCL and MCC to Start Myanmar Service
Eyeing strong growth in China-Myanmar trade, State-owned China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL) and MCC Transport, a subsidiary of AP Moeller-Maersk Group, plan to launch services direct services from Shanghai to Yangon on January 25.
CSCL and MCC Transport will deploy smaller vessels without having to transfer cargo along the way. Market observers say that both container shipping lines are poised to exploit strong trade growth between China and Myanmar.
With an estimated journey time of 12 to 14 days, the service will help the traders to avoid cargo transfers in Singapore or Malaysia, thus saving time and offering increased predictability for shipment schedules.
The vessels are likely to start journey from Shanghai and pass through Ningbo and Southeast Asian ports before reaching Yangon, which is the commercial capital for Myanmar.
The launch of the new route will provide Chinese exporters and importers with a stable service. We estimate containerized cargo volume to have grown 30% last year to 350,000 TEU, says CSCL sources.
Trade between Myanmar and China grew an average 16 per cent a year between 2009 and 2013, according to Word Trade Organization data.
Yangon Port is accessible to vessels of 167m overall length, 9m draft, and 15,000dwt, according to Myanmar's Ministry of Transport. This means only small vessels can call directly at this port.