APL, MOL, NYK Launch Joint Service
APL, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) have together launched a new joint service between trading hubs in Asia and ports in Mexico, Colombia and Panama.
In a joint statement made by the carriers, APL, MOL and NYK said Asia is an important market for exporters in Latin America. By providing weekly sailings, competitive transit times, as well as regional connectivity to Central America, West Coast South America and the Caribbean basin, the lines said shippers would be well-served, in particular those who are moving refrigerated cargo from Latin America to the fast growing Asian markets.
The Asia- South America Service (ASA) service replaces the Southeast Asia 1 (SE1) service. Eight post-Panamax ships of about 6,000 TEUs will be deployed in the joint service. APL will operate six vessels while MOL and NYK will operate one vessel each.
Port rotation for the current SE1 service: Singapore – Chiwan – Kaohsiung – Los Angeles – Manzanillo – Lazaro Cardenas – San Pedro – Yokohama – Kaohsiung - Singapore
Port rotation for the new ASA service: Pusan – Yangshan - Chiwan - Hong Kong – Kaohsiung – Manzanillo - Lazaro Cardenas – Buenaventura – Balboa - Lazaro Cardenas – Manzanillo – Yokohama – Pusan
The first sailing of the new ASA service will depart Pusan May 22, 2015.
