APL and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced the launch of a peak season service (PS5), adding extra capacity and a Seattle connection option to meet customer demand.

APL's Senior Vice President for the Trans-Pacific Trade, Robert Sappio, said the PS5 service, beginning July 18, would be jointly operated by APL and MOL, connecting the key Chinese ports of Shanghai, Yantian and Hong Kong, along with the Taiwan port of Kaohsiung, with the US West Coast through Seattle.

"This service provides our customers with additional space through the busy peak season, and an alternative entry point to the West Coast," Mr. Sappio said. "Customers have been concerned about the impact of congestion on their supply chains as volumes build and so we are offering Seattle as another option to the southern California ports in terms of a gateway and intermodal connectivity."

MOL's General Manager for Strategic Planning & Asset Management, Liner Division, Tsuyoshi Yoshida, said the service would offer a regular weekly service call to Yantian, Hong Kong and Kaohsiung, with the first sailing of the MOL DISCOVERY, voy. 044E, on July 18. "We will expand the service to include a regular weekly call at Shanghai as further tonnage becomes available," Mr. Yoshida said.

The PS5 will complement The New World Alliance (TNWA) peak season service enhancements announced recently, which are aimed at providing additional space and improved service levels over the peak season.