OOCL joins CMA’s China/NZ loop

   The liner carrier OOCL said Friday it is joining a CMA CGM service connecting China with New Zealand from Dec. 24.
   OOCL will join the French line’s ANZEX service (OOCL will name it NZS), which has a rotation of Hong Kong, Chiwan, Ningbo, Shanghai, Pusan, Auckland, Port Chalmers, Lyttelton, Tauranga, Nouméa, and Hong Kong. It’s operated with six CMA CGM vessels with an average capacity of 1,753 TEUs, according to American Shipper affiliate ComPair Data. CMA CGM subsidiary ANL also takes slots on the service.
   OOCL said in a statement that the slot charter agreement “will increase our capacity and port coverage to meet the growing demand and customer requirements in the New Zealand market. By joining forces to serve this trade corridor, OOCL’s services will be upgraded to cover all major New Zealand ports with direct calls in the Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia loops. This strategic arrangement will also benefit New Zealand exporters to minimize their land-based transportation costs.”