“K” Line begins new intra-Asia service

The Japanese ocean carrier said its new China Straits Express loop will commence April 27 from Qingdao.    Japanese Ocean carrier Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. (“K” Line) will launch a new intra-Asia service between China and Southeast Asia, according to a statement from the company.
   The China Straits Express (CSE) will be jointly operated by “K” Line, Hanjin Shipping and Pacific International Lines with four vessels with an average capacity of 2,500 TEUs. The port rotation will be Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, Laem Chabang, Singapore, Port Kelang, Laem Chabang, Ho Chi Minh, Xiamen, and back to Qingdao.
   CSE is scheduled to commence April 27 from Qingdao.
   “K” Line noted that the new service comes after the introduction of its Bangladesh Express (BGX) feeder service in January.
   The BGX operates with a total of six 1,700-TEU vessels, two each on three sailings per week. Vessels departing on Tuesdays have a port rotation of Singapore, Chittagong, and back to Singapore, while those that depart on Thursdays and Saturdays call at Singapore, Port Kelang, Chittagong, and back to Singapore.
   “K” Line is a member of the CKYHE Alliance, along with COSCO, Yang Ming, Hanjin Shipping, and Evergreen Line, cooperating on the major east-west trade lanes.