Transpacific newcomers Hede (Hong Kong) International Shipping and TS Lines are adding capacity to their express China-US West Coast services, despite the downward pressure on freight rates, reports The Loadstar.
Hede, a subsidiary of China’s Tangshan port group, debuted on the transpacific in March, its Hede West Coast Express service offering a shuttle between Shanghai and Los Angeles, using five ships of 1,800-4,200 teu.
HDX
Last month, the carrier launched the Hede USWC Direct Express (HDX) shuttle connection between Ningbo and Los Angeles, using five 1,800-2,700 teu ships, starting with the 1,809 teu at Adamastos on 11 September.
Meanwhile, Taiwanese regional carrier TS Lines is adding two ships to its AWC2 service, which launched on 13 August.
This week, the 4,331 teu TS Singapore joins up, with a fifth vessel, the 1,756 teu TS Kwangyang, scheduled to join the service next month.
Strike
Concerns over a strike by dockers at US east and Gulf coast ports starting 1 October are prompting shippers to divert containers to the US west coast, resulting in Asia-USWC rates dropping at a slower rate than Asia-USEC.
Did you Subscribe to our daily newsletter?
It’s Free Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Theloadstar
