Pacific International Lines enters TransPac market

Pacific International Lines enters TransPac market Singapore-based shipping line Pacific International Lines said Thursday it is joining the transpacific shipping market with the launch of a new fixed-day weekly container service linking the Far East and the U.S. West Coast.
   The service, to be operated jointly with Taiwan-based Wan Hai Lines, begins March 17 with a total of five 2,500 TEU vessels. PIL plans to introduce higher capacity vessels to the service in the near future.
   Wan Hai Lines has operated the service independently since mid-2001. PIL will be contributing one vessel in the joint service, operating with a round voyage of 35 days between China and the U.S. ports. The route will begin in Xiamen, call at Yantian, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Long Beach, and Oakland before a direct return to Xiamen.
   Founded in 1967, PIL has grown from a coastal ship operator to become one of the largest private ship owners and operators in Asia. It is ranked 19th among container ship operators in the world.
   PIL, with an owned and operated fleet of more than 100 vessels, offers container service between the Far East, Africa, the Middle East Gulf-Red Sea, and the Indian Subcontinent. It also operates services from the Far East to Canada, Europe, East Coast South America and Australia/New Zealand.