Norasia to start round-the-world service

Norasia to start round-the-world service    Norasia Container Lines, a subsidiary of Chile’s Compania Sud Americana de Vapores, is finalizing a plan to start a westbound round-the-world service in early 2004.
   The service will call at yet-to-be-announced ports of the United States East Coast, the Far East, the Indian Subcontinent and north Europe, a Norasia executive told American Shipper magazine.
   The westbound round-the-world operation will employ a total of 12 ships. The service will be in partnership between Norasia and Gold Star Line, an affiliate of Zim Israel Navigation, and may involve a third carrier. Norasia will provide eight of the proposed 12 ships that will be used in the service.
   The decision on whether to incorporate the existing Indian Subcontinent/Middle East/north Europe “Euro-Galex” service in the new round-the-world service is under consideration. Norasia’s current partners in the “Euro-Galex” joint service are Hyundai Merchant Marine, MOL and United Arab Shipping Co.