PIL adds Australia, New Zealand to China transpacific loop

SINGAPORE's Pacific International Lines (PIL) will extend its weekly China Transpacific (CTP) Service by adding Australia and New Zealand from June 21.


"This will enhance PIL's network in Australasia, meeting the growing demand for space from Australasia to Asia as well as the Trans-Tasman trade lane." said the PIL statement.


Far East-Australasia/Oceania volumes are expected to increase 11 per cent in 2011 to 1.8 million TEU southbound and 1.76 million TEU northbound, according to MDS Transmodal, a freight consultancy, based in Chester, England.


The 63-day rotation will now cover Qingdao, Ningbo, Shanghai, Long Beach, Sydney, Melbourne, Tauranga, Brisbane, Keelung and back to Qingdao.


The five-ship CTP loop will then deploy nine 1,550-TEU vessels when the Australia leg service commences. PIL said that it will be offering direct container services to the US west coast-Australasia market.


Meanwhile coverage of the South Pacific Islands will be provided by PIL's unit Pacific Direct Line via transhipment. PIL operates three services to Australia and another to New Zealand from Asia.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)