09 November 2007
The members of the New World Alliance (APL, Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) and Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL)) have announced their intention to move another string of their Asia – Europe service to Thamesport.
From February 2008, the soon-to-be-upgraded South China Express (SCX) service will call at Thamesport. It will join the New World Alliance’s Asia Express (AEX) service, which had previously transferred to the automated Kent facility in November 2004.
Chris Lewis, Chief Executive Officer for Hutchison Ports (UK) Limited, owners of Thamesport (London) Limited, commented:
“The decision by the New World Alliance to relocate this service is a massive vote of confidence in Thamesport. The Asia Express service has been here for three years now, so the member lines are aware that Thamesport is an excellent choice for shippers, with impressive turnaround times, and no congestion. We look forward to working with the South China Express service to offer a quicker and more efficient service to UK importers and exporters.”
The SCX service is currently operated by seven x 5,300-TEU vessels, four supplied by APL, and three by MOL. However, capacity on the new SCX service will be significantly increased through the deployment of eight x 8,100-TEU vessels. APL will provide four of the new vessels, with the remainder coming from MOL.
This latest news follows decisions by a number of other Lines to transfer calls to Thamesport during 2007. The need to turn vessels around quickly, and to retain schedules during the traditional pre-Christmas peak season, has seen a number of ships from Maersk Line, the Grand Alliance, and K Line divert to Thamesport in recent months.
ENDS
Note to Editors:
For further information please contact Rachael Jackson, Public Relations Manager, on Tel No: +44 (0) 1394 604167, Fax No: +44 (0) 1394 604943 or E-mail jacksonr@hpuk.co.uk. www.thamesport.co.uk
Thamesport (TMP) is located in the heart of South East England, 10 miles from the M2 motorway, 35 miles from London. It is one of the UK’s busiest container ports.
TMP is a member of the Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) Group, a subsidiary of the multinational conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa Limited (HWL). HPH is the world's leading port investor, developer and operator, with interests in 23 countries throughout Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas. Committed to innovation, HPH is one of the most technologically advanced port operators in the industry. Today, HPH has operating rights in a total of 257 berths in 45 ports, and owns a number of transportation-related service companies. In 2006, the HPH Group handled a combined throughput of 59.3 million TEU worldwide.
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