OOCL, P&O Nedlloyd to extend Atlantic service to Mexico
'''Orient Overseas Container Line and P&O Nedlloyd are preparing to start their first direct services between northern Europe and Mexican Gulf ports, by using one of the joint Atlantic services of the Grand Alliance and Americana Ships.
''''The Grand Alliance comprises OOCL, P&O Nedlloyd, Hapag-Lloyd and NYK in the Atlantic trade. Americana Ships carriers are Lykes Lines and TMM Lines.
''''From October, when the Grand Alliance/Americana Ships transatlantic alliance is fully implemented, the carriers will operate a joint U.S. Gulf/Mexico/northern Europe weekly service. The service will call at Houston, Veracruz, Altamira, Charleston, Antwerp, Thamesport, Bremerhaven, Le Havre and Houston again.
''''OOCL said that it expects to carry about 100 TEUs a week in the Europe/Mexico trade. At present, OOCL has a limited presence in this market and trucks Mexican cargo to and from U.S. Gulf ports, crossing the border at Nueva Laredo.
''''Hapag-Lloyd, Lykes Lines and TMM Lines are already active in the Mexico/northern Europe trade lane, through their participation in the Gumex service. This service will be incorporated into the Grand Alliance/Americana Ships vessel-sharing agreement in October.
''''Although NYK is a member of the Grand Alliance/Americana Ships vessel-sharing agreement, it said that it has no plans to start a direct northern Europe/Mexico service.