APL ENTERS U.S./MEDITERRANEAN TRADE
APL is starting two weekly container services between the U.S. and the Mediterranean, plugging a hole in its global service network.
Operated under a slot-charter agreement on existing services of Maersk Sealand, APL has commenced its MGS and MDX services to and from the
Mediterranean ports of Gioia Tauro and Genoa (Italy) and Algeciras (Spain), with feeder connections to and from Greece, Turkey and the Black Sea.
The service started from Charleston on Friday (Nov. 17). Westbound, the first ship was scheduled to sail from Gioia Tauro on Saturday (Nov. 18).
APL’s MGS service, using the ships of Maersk Sealand’s Mediterranean Gulf service, calls at Miami, Houston, Charleston, Algeciras, Gioia Tauro, Genoa,
Algeciras, New York, Charleston, Miami and Houston.
APLr’s MDX service, using slots on Maersk Sealand’s Suez Express service, calls at New York, Norfolk, Charleston, Algeciras and GioiaTauro. APL offers the latter service eastbound only.
APL and Maersk Sealand also cooperate in the northern Europe/U.S. trade, providing three joint weekly container services every week.