APL introduces new intra-Asia service

APL last week introduced a new weekly service to enhance its network coverage in East Asia.

The new Japan Thailand 2 (JT2) service is operated through a vessel sharing agreement with Hanjin Shipping with three vessels of 1700 TEU nominal capacity each.

The launch of the JT2 service enhances APL’s global product offering and extends the following benefits to its customers:

Complements the existing Japan Thailand Vietnam (JTV) service to provide a comprehensive service network for customers trading between South East Asia, North Asia and Japan

Gives wider coverage of Kansai and West Japan region

Links Taiwan and the Pearl River Delta region to Thailand, with competitive transit times

Connects to APL’s global network via transshipment hubs in Kaohsiung and Hong Kong

The new service port rotation is: Osaka – Kobe - Hibiki – Hakata – Kaohsiung – Chiwan – Laem Chabang – Hong Kong – Kaohsiung – Osaka. The first northbound sailing will begin on 21st December 2012 from Laem Chabang. The first southbound sailing will begin on 24 December 2012 from Osaka.

APL is a global container shipping business offering more than 80 weekly services and more than 500 calls at more than 140 ports worldwide. It combines world-class intermodal operations with leading-edge IT and e-commerce. APL is a unit of Singapore-based Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), global shipping and logistics company.