MOL joining PIL/’K’ Line Asia-Africa loop

  The liner carrier MOL said Tuesday it will amend its service network between Asia and South Africa from early April.
  MOL will join a PIL and “K” Line loop between the Far East and South Africa from April 8. The loop, dubbed ASA by the existing operators, has a rotation of Shanghai, Ningbo, Keelung, Hong Kong, Shekou, Singapore, Port Kelang, Durban, Cape Town, Port Kelang, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.
  MOL will operate one vessel on the service, the 4,200-TEU MOL Delight, which is currently deployed on the line’s 13-ship CSW service between Asia, South Africa, and the east coast of South America, according to American Shipper affiliate ComPair Data.
  The ASA is currently operated with seven vessels, according to ComPair Data, but will include eight when MOL joins, the line said. With no ports added to the rotation, it appears the service will steam slower and add a week to its round-trip time.
  Meanwhile, MOL also said it will add a fortnightly call at Nacala, Mozambique, to its existing MZX service in May and June. The revised rotation will be Tanjung Pelepas, Singapore, Port Louis, Durban, Maputo, Tamatave/Nacala (on alternative weeks), and Tanjung Pelepas. The MZX is operated with five vessels with an average capacity of 1,478 TEUs. — Eric Johnson