Sea Lead Shipping, a Singapore-based feeder operator, has increased its Far East-US West Coast sailings to a weekly service on healthy demand, after launching a bi-weekly service in August.
The company provides feeder services within the Persian Gulf and Indian sub-continent to many mainline operators and non-vessel owning common carriers. In August, it joined other new entrants in the Far East-US West Coast trade due to the attractive rates, launching the ALX service.
Container News was informed that Sea Lead’s Dubai office is handling Far East-US West Coast shipments, with US shipping agency Norton Lilly International appointed as the company’s US sales agent.
Founded by Dubai-based Indian national Jaideep Saigal, Sea Lead operates its liner services with chartered vessels and worked with Guangzhou Port Group to launch its ALX service.
On 16 August, the 4,860TEU Pinocchio docked at Guangzhou’s sub-port, Nansha, to load cargoes, mostly household appliances manufactured in Guangdong province. Pinocchio left Busan on 1 November and is due to arrive in Long Beach on 14 November.
Vessel-tracking data shows that 5,888TEU Yogi has been waiting in the vessel queue around Long Beach since 21 October while the 6,350TEU Bigli is due to arrive in Long Beach on 6 November.
Sea Lead’s representative told Container News that previously, the company chartered ships for six to nine months, but due to the current tonnage shortage, the whole fleet has been chartered for one to two years.
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
