APL slow steams 4 transpacific services

APL slow steams 4 transpacific services    Singapore-based liner carrier APL is slow steaming four of its transpacific services, according to a recent report by Alphaliner and confirmed by American Shipper affiliate ComPair Data.
   The services slow steaming — a means to reduce fuel consumption and air emissions — are the PS1, PS2, PCE and SAX loops, all of which are operated within the framework of the New World Alliance, of which APL is a key member (MOL and Hyundai Merchant Marine are the other two).
   ' The PS1 is operated with seven APL ships, averaging nearly 5,500 TEUs of capacity, and links South China, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan and Japan with the Pacific Northwest.
   ' The PS2 is also operated with seven APL ships, average size 5,700 TEUs, and links south and southeast China to Oakland, Los Angeles and Mexico. Hapag-Lloyd is a slot charterer on this service.
   ' The PCE is operated with five 4,800-TEU APL vessels, linking Yangtze River Delta ports and Japan to Los Angeles, Oakland and Dutch Harbor. Evergreen is slot buyer on this service.
   ' The SAX is run with four 6,900-TEU and two 5,500-TEU APL vessels, and links Singapore, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung and Yokohama to Los Angeles.

Phillips

   After weeks of carriers turning to slow steaming in the Asia/Europe lane, activity on the transpacific seems to be picking up. It was thought that the benefits of slow steaming wouldn't be as pronounced on the transpacific as they would between Asia/Europe because the ships on the transpacific are generally smaller, thus yielding less cost savings. But clearly the need to occupy excess capacity has trumped those worries for some lines.
   'This slow-steaming trend has become endemic,' said Francis Phillips of ComPair Data. 'Fairly soon the story will switch from who is slow-steaming to who is not slow-steaming.' ' Eric Johnson