Carriers combine Asia-Australia strings

   Several container carriers will combine two services operating between Southeast Asia and Australia next month into a single string employing larger ships.
   The new service will be operated by Hapag-Lloyd, China Shipping, Hanjin, RCL, and United Arab Shipping Co., with ANL, Hyundai Merchant Marine and OOCL buying slots.
   Five vessels with capacities of 3,400 to 3,600 TEUs will participate in the new service, which is designated as the ASAL or SAL (by Hapag-Lloyd) or AUS (by Hanjin) beginning April 17. The service’s rotation includes Port Kelang, Singapore, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Jakarta, and Port Kelang.
   Currently, the two strings use eight ships, four with 1,900 TEUs of capacity and four of 2,250-TEU capacity. – Chris Dupin