NEW WORLD ALLIANCE TO START APX ATLANTIC SERVICE

NEW WORLD ALLIANCE TO START APX ATLANTIC SERVICE

   New World Alliance carriers APL, Hyundai Merchant Marine and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines will commence their previously announced “Atlantic Pacific Express” transatlantic service in mid-October.

   The weekly Atlantic Pacific Express link will employ 12 ships of 3,000-TEU and will be an extension of the New World Alliance’s Asia/U.S. East Coast ECS all-water service via Panama, continuing on across the Atlantic. The APX service will have a transatlantic rotation of Charleston, Norfolk, New York, Rotterdam, Felixstowe, New York and Norfolk before returning to the Pacific.

   The first transatlantic eastbound sailing of the service will be from Charleston on Oct. 14. Westbound, the first Atlantic sailing will leave Rotterdam on Oct. 19.

   New World Alliance carriers will also start another two transatlantic services, called Atlantic South and Atlantic North, by taking space on two existing services of Maersk Sealand. The reciprocal slot-charter agreement with Maersk Sealand will become effective in mid-October.

   Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and APL previously cooperated with Lykes Lines in the transatlantic trade.

   An executive of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines said that the schedules of the joint services are currently being finalized.