LYKES ENTERS THE TRANSPACIFIC

   Lykes Lines is the latest carrier to have entered the booming transpacific trade, under a joint service arrangement commencing on Sept. 4.
    Lykes will join the Mexico Asia Express transpacific service of APL and TMM. TMM is a partner of Lykes is the TMM/CP Ships Americana Ships joint venture.
    Lykes will contribute a 2,000-TEU vessel, the Lykes Crusader, to the 6-ship weekly service.
    The commencement of Lykes’s Pacific service is subject to regulatory approval.
    The carrier will provide an intermodal connection from the U.S. Gulf to Asia via Los Angeles.
    The rotation of the service is Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Busan, Kobe, Yokohama, Los Angeles, Ensenada (Mexico), Manzanillo (Mexico), Yokohama, Kobe and Hong Kong.
    Lykes, which pulled out of the Pacific trade in the mid-1980’s, has appointed new agents to represent the company in Asia.
    The first eastbound sailing of Lykes’ "Pacific Sprint" service starts from Hong Kong on Sept. 4, arriving Los Angeles on Sept. 20. Westbound, the service begins on Sept. 4 from Manzanillo, arriving Yokohama on Sept. 18.
    The other carriers which have entered the Pacific this year are Mediterranean Shipping Co., CMA-CGM, Norasia, Trans-Pacific Lines and Great Western Steamship.