CMA CGM’s intra-Asia shipping unit Cheng Lie Navigation (CNC Line) is developing its Far East-Vietnam connections with the inclusion of a direct connection between Central Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, Northern China and Hong Kong.
The Taiwan based CNC Line is extending its CHX service, which currently connects South China and Central Vietnam, with new calls at Vietnam’s Chu Lai port.
Container volumes between East Asia and South East Asia, especially Vietnam, have been growing because US-China trade tensions caused manufacturers to shift some production from China to Vietnam.
However, under the restructured service, CHX’s Nghi Son call will be removed, with CNC Line opting instead to call at this port by reinstating its Haiphong China Express (HCX) weekly service. CNC Line has re-deployed the 990TEU Warnow Perch from the existing CHX route to HCX.
The new CHX loop will be Kobe, Hong Kong, Danang, Chu Lai, Qui Nhon, Hong Kong, Dalian, Busan, Kwangyang and Kobe. The rotation will be three weeks, with CNC Line deploying three ships each with capacity of around 1,100TEU.
The restructured CHX service will be the first regular container service to connect Chu Lai with Japan. The service also links Busan to Chu Lai, whereas currently, SITC Container Lines is the only other carrier to offer a connection between South Korea and Chu Lai, with its CKV service connecting Chu Lai with Incheon.
The revamped CHX service began on 24 October, with the 1,118TEU Contship Win setting out from Kobe.
The HCX service will resume on 31 October, with a rotation of Hong Kong, Nansha, Haiphong, Nghi Son, Qinzhou and Hong Kong on a weekly basis.
Martina Li
Asian Correspondent
