CSCL sets sights on northern Europe trade

China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL) will introduce a second service between China and northern Europe during the second half of next year, according to company executives in Shanghai.

The new service will increase annualised available capacity on the trade by nearly 300,000 teu (20-ft equivalent units) as the carrier plans to introduce eight 5,500 teu post-Panamax vessels.

CSCL's service will concentrate on northern China, in particular serving the ports of Dalian, Tianjin and Qingdao. The eight vessels are under construction in China at Hudong Zhongzhua Shipyard.

Introduction of the service dominated discussions at a recent meeting of CSCL executives in Scheveningen, Holland.

Senior management from Shanghai and CSCL's European offices attended the meeting, where 'serious consideration was also given to CSCL's entry into the Atlantic trade', one executive said.

CSCL's northern Europe service would be launched in time for the peak season next year. The company reintroduced its service between China and the Mediterranean in the second quarter after cancelling the operation when demand faded last year.

The service this month will be merged with a Pacific northwest express service, offering a pendulum link between the west coast of the United States, Canada, China, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent and the Mediterranean.

The extensive service will be operated in partnership with Norasia Container Lines. At about the same time next year, CSCL is also expected to launch transatlantic services between northern Europe and the US east coast.

CSCL is expected to reserve slots from one or more transatlantic players rather than using dedicated tonnage. CSCL and CMA-CGM, the French carrier, have slot agreements on the trades between Asia and Europe, and on trades between the Mediterranean and US east coast.

Paul Richardson's e-mail address is [email protected]