APL, COSCO, PIL to start China/Australia loop

APL, COSCO, PIL to start China/Australia loop    APL, COSCO Container Lines and Pacific International Lines will from the beginning of next month start a joint weekly service between China and Australia.
   The China Australia Service (CAS) will start Oct. 2 with a port rotation of Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, Xiamen, Hong Kong, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Hong Kong and back to Qingdao. The transit time from Sydney to Chiwan will be 20 days while the voyage from Brisbane to Ningbo will be made in 15 days. In the other direction, Chiwan to Brisbane will take 17 days and the Hong Kong to Melbourne transit time will be 12 days.
   The CAS will use five ships of about 2,900 TEUs, each with refrigerated and climate-controlled cargo handling capabilities.
   “China’s growth continues to exceed expectations and its trade with Australia is becoming increasingly important,” said Dan Ryan, APL’s Greater China president. “Calls at Qingdao and Ningbo provide fast access to all key Chinese production and sourcing locations. Also, our efficient relay service provides the CAS with reach to other core Asian markets such as Japan, Korea, Taiwan as well as the Americas.”