OOCL/RCL start China-Vietnam-Thailand loop

   The liner carrier OOCL said Wednesday it is starting a new China-Vietnam-Thailand service to be jointly operated by intra-Asia carrier Regional Container Lines (RCL).
   The service, which OOCL will call CBS, will have a rotation of Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Ho Chi Minh City, Ningbo, Shanghai, Laem Chabang, and Bangkok. It will be operated with three 1,200- to 1,300-TEU ships from March 4.
   OOCL said the service will complement its existing CHL service on the same trade, which it jointly runs with Wan Hai. According to American Shipper affiliate ComPair Data, the service has a rotation of Shanghai, Dalian, Xingang, Qingdao, Shekou, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, Laem Chabang, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. That service is operated with four vessels (three from Wan Hai and one from OOCL) with an average capacity of 1,404 TEUs.
   “The CBS, together with CHL, will provide a much more comprehensive network to better serve our customers on the trade between China, Thailand and Vietnam,” said Stephen Ng, OOCL director of corporate planning. “It is also strategically structured in linking the key markets in central China and Thailand to give us a competitive edge in this trade.” — Eric Johnson