Maersk, MSC and HMM to cooperate on transpacific loop

A spokesperson from Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) told American Shipper the loop is expected to commence April 2 from Laem Chabang, operating with seven, 6,800-TEU vessels supplied by HMM.    Maersk Line, Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC) and Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) will offer a transpacific string outside of the 2M network that includes calls in Thailand, Vietnam, South China, Taiwan and South Korea, as well as the U.S. ports of Los Angeles and Oakland.
   Maersk is calling it the TP7, MSC is dubbing it the Lotus, and HMM is naming it the PS2.
   A spokesperson from HMM told American Shipper the service is expected to begin April 2 from Laem Chabang. HMM will supply seven, 6,800-TEU ships that Maersk and MSC will charter space on.
   The rotation will be Laem Chabang, Cai Mep, Hong Kong, Yantian, Kaohsiung, Pusan, Los Angeles, Oakland, Pusan, Kaohsiung, Hong Kong and Laem Chabang.