The Grand Alliance has announced details of its new China Korea Express (CKX) service that will enhance its trans-Pacific network and offer improved coverage in the mainland and South Korea.
The alliance, grouping Hapag-Lloyd Container Line, NYK Line, Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) and P&O Nedlloyd, would launch the service with the departure of a 2,650 teu (20 ft equivalent unit) vessel, P&O Nedlloyd Auckland, on July 30 from Hong Kong, a source said.
The vessel would call at Shanghai (August 1-2), Qingdao (August 3-4), Pusan (August 5-6), Los Angeles (August 15-17), Seattle (August 19-20), Pusan (August 30) and return to Hong Kong on September 2, the source said.
'Transit time from Shanghai to Los Angeles will be 13 days and from Pusan to Los Angeles will be nine days,' Kim Balling, OOCL general manager for corporate marketing, said.
The service reduces the 14-day transit time from Qingdao to Los Angeles to 11 days.
As competition on trans-Pacific routes has increased with the entry of new players such as CMA, shipping lines are fighting to improve transit times and provide customers with better services.
OOCL public relations manager Elin Wong said the starting date of the service was subject to approvals from regulatory bodies in the mainland.