Grand Alliance slows Asia-Europe loop

   The Grand Alliance of liner shipping companies has added an 11th vessel to its weekly LPC service between Asia and North Europe, increasing roundtrip voyage time from 70 days to 77 days.
   Transit times eastbound to China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan from North Europe on the LPC have increased by about seven days, now taking one week between Singapore and Kaohsiung, Taiwan. 
   The Grand Alliance partners OOCL, Hapag-Lloyd and NYK announced Wednesday that a six-loop slot-exchange with the New World Alliance partners APL, Hyundai and MOL will start between Asia and Europe from March 1. The LPC service is currently operated with 10 OOCL vessels and one from Hapag-Lloyd, with an average capacity of 7,795 TEUs. Slot charterer Zim will become a vessel provider in early March. 
   For the moment the rotation of the LPC Asia-North Europe service, one of three loops operated by the Grand Alliance, remains Southampton, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, Singapore, Kaohsiung, Hong Kong, Shekou, Ningbo, Shanghai, Xiamen, Kaohsiung, Hong Kong, Shekou, Singapore, Port Kelang, and Southampton. — ComPair Data, Ben Meyer