China Shipping phases in new mega-ship into Pacific trade

China Shipping phases in new mega-ship into Pacific trade

   China Shipping Container Lines has phased in a new 8,000-TEU-type containership, the “CSCL America,” into its transpacific West Coast “AAS 1” service.

   The third vessel of this size to be delivered to the Chinese carrier, the new ship is scheduled to arrive at the port of Long Beach Nov. 24. For its first sailing, the ship is not expected to call at China Shipping’s terminal in Los Angeles.

   China Shipping has also switched another 8,000-TEU vessel, the “CSCL Asia,” from the Asia/Europe trade to the transpacific trade, joining the “CSCL America.” This reverses the decision in September to deploy the “CSCL Asia” in the Asia/Europe “AEX 1” service after a few sailings in the transpacific trade.

   The carrier’s third 8,000-TEU vessel, the “CSCL Europe,” continues to operate in the Asia/Europe trade.

   The weekly “AAS 1” service has a normal rotation of Shanghai, Xiamen, Yantian, Hong Kong, Busan, Los Angeles and back to Shanghai. However, the rotation of the “CSCL America” for its maiden voyage differs from the normal service rotation and includes a call at Dalian, among others.

   China Shipping said its new ship has a length of 334 meters (1,096 feet), a width of 42.6 meters (138 feet) and a service speed of 25.2 knots.

   China Shipping is one of the increasing number of carriers using 8,000-TEU containerships in the transpacific trade, alongside CMA CGM, COSCO, Maersk Sealand, Mediterranean Shipping Co. and OOCL.