APL to start China/Vietnam link
APL is starting a weekly service between China and Vietnam in March.
The Haiphong-China Express (HCX) service will commence March 8 calling Hong Kong, Chiwan, Haiphong and back to Hong Kong.
The HCX will offer connections to the U.S. West Coast via Hong Kong and Chiwan, with a transit time to Seattle of 13 days and Los Angeles in 15 days. For Europe, cargo will reach Rotterdam in 23 days and Southampton in 24 days.
“In 2005, Vietnam’s gross domestic product grew 8.4 percent helping to push the value of Vietnam’s exports up by 24 percent to $32 billion,” said APL. “With export growth forecast at 18 percent for the year ahead, and exports of electronic goods, apparel, footwear and furniture continuing to grow particularly strongly, customers in these segments will benefit from the increased reliability offered by the new HCX service.”