Asian lines slow SE Asia-Australia loop, add Fremantle

   The Singapore-based ocean carriers Orient Overseas Container Line and Pacific International Line, along with vessel partner Mitsui O.S.K. Line of Japan, have added a new port call at Fremantle, and an additional vessel to their joint weekly AAA1/AAB service between Southeast Asia and Australia.
   Roundtrip voyage time on the AAA1/AAB has increased from 28 days to 35 days and transit times in both directions on the service have been increased by a few days, now taking 11 days from the Southeast Asia hub at Singapore to Brisbane, Australia, and 12 days on the return voyage from Melbourne to Singapore.
   The revised rotation of the AAA1/AAB loop is Singapore, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Fremantle, and Singapore. The service is currently operated by five vessels, two each from OOCL and PIL and one from MOL, with an average capacity of 4,342 TEUs, and fellow Asian carriers COSCO of China and Taiwan-based Yang Ming continue to take slots.
   Besides the AAA1/AAB, the carriers operate or purchase slots on four other services between Southeast Asia and Australia, all of which call at Singapore. – ComPair Data, Ben Meyer