South Korean feeder operator Namsung Shipping is deploying more ‘extra loader’ services on the southern China-Vietnam route, acceding to government requests to increase shipping capacity on intra-Asia services, in addition to Transpacific and Asia-Europe routes.
[s2If is_user_logged_in()]Namsung announced, on 16 January, that the 700TEU Pegasus Pacer will operate between southern China and Hai Phong, while on 18 January, the 1,800TEU Starship Leo, will be assigned to a southern China to Ho Chi Minh City service.
Pegasus Pacer’s route will be Busan, Gwangyang, Hong Kong, Hai Phong, Shekou and Busan.
The rotation for Starship Leo will be Gwangyang, Busan, Hong Kong, Shekou, Ho Chi Minh City, Shekou, Incheon and Gwangyang
Namsung is the second South Korean feeder operator to initiate an extra loader intra-Asia service, after Korea Marine Transport Company (KMTC Line) assigned three extra ships to meet urgent demand from Shekou and Huangpu in China to Malaysia’s Port Klang and Indonesia’s Tanjung Priok port.
Just three days before the government made its request on 30 December, Namsung had launched a one-off southern China-Hai Phong extra loader service, with the 950TEU Star Express.
Rising Transpacific rates have caused a shortage of containers, as the lack of backhaul cargoes from North America has slowed the return of empty boxes to Asia, creating a ripple effect on other trade lanes.
Namsung said, “We will actively co-operate with government departments and related organisations such as the Export-Import Logistics Comprehensive Response Centre. We continuously review our shipping schedules and fleet status to respond flexibly to real-time situations.”[/s2If]
[s2If !is_user_logged_in()]Please login or register to read the rest of the story[/s2If]
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
