“K” Line, APL to launch joint Asia-India loop

The new container service will operate with five vessels averaging 4,200 TEUs and will connect ports in China, Korea and Southeast Asia with Chennai in East India, according to statements from the carriers.    Ocean carriers “K” Line and APL are launching a new joint container service between Asia and the east coast of India, according to statements from the companies.
   The service, dubbed the India East Coast Express (IEX) by APL and Asia Chennai Express (ACE) by “K” Line, will operate with five vessels with an average capacity of 4,200 TEUs. According to “K” Line’s online schedules for the ACE, China COSCO will also provide at least on vessel for the loop, but neither COSCO nor APL had posted full schedules at the time of writing.
   The service will have a full port rotation of Busan, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shekou, Singapore, Port Kelang, Chennai, Port Kelang, Singapore, Manila and Busan. The first sailing will commence with the Baltimore Bridge departing Busan Dec. 15, according to “K” Line.
   Both “K” Line and APL have recently been swept up in a massive wave of consolidation in the ocean shipping industry spurred by a precipitous drop in freight rates. Earlier this year, APL’s parent company, Neptune Orient Lines, was purchased by CMA CGM of France, while just last month, “K” Line, along with fellow Japanese carriers MOL and NYK Line, announced plans to merge their container operations.