HMM commences China Thailand Express

The South Korean ocean carrier last week launched the China Thailand Express, which operates between China, Korea and Southeast Asia with four, 2,200-TEU containerships.    Ocean carrier Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) launched the China Thailand Express (CTX) last week between China, Korea and Southeast Asia.
   The CTX’s rotation is Xingang, Busan, Ulsan, Busan, Gwangyang, Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh, Laem Chabang, Sihanoukville, Manila, Busan, Inchon and Xinang, according to the carrier’s online proforma and service schedules.
   However, HMM’s schedules currently show the Ulsan call will be omitted until the April 3 sailing of the 2,200-TEU Hyundai Vladivostok from Xingang.
   In addition to the Hyundai Vladivostok, three other 2,200-TEU vessels will serve on the CTX, the Hyundai Bridge, Hyundai Future and Hyundai Highway.
   The CTX will provide six-day transits from Busan to Ho Chi Minh (VICT/Cat Lai), 10-day transits from Busan to Laem Chabang and eight-day transits from Busan to Sihanoukville, HMM said.
   According to BlueWater Reporting’s Country to Country Transit Analysis by Service tool, 11 other services offer direct transits from Busan to Ho Chi Minh (VICT/Cat Lai) at 10 days or less, four of which offer six-day transits.
   Meanwhile, 10 other services offer direct transits from Busan to Laem Chabang at eight days or less, with MOL’s CBE offering the fastest transits at five days. However, only one other service offers direct transits from Busan to Sihanoukville – SITC’s VTX1 at 11 days.