Recognizing a commercially successful future as a result of the free trade agreement (FTA) between China and ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations), Evergreen Line and Wan Hai Lines will launch the Hwa-Bei Strait (HBS) Service starting early July. The two carriers are also optimistic about ASEAN-Plus-One FTAs' future potential and the HBS service will benefit the development of the regional economy.

Mr. Bronson Hsieh, Vice Group Chairman of Evergreen Group and Chairman of Evergreen Marine Corporation said: "The impact of ASEAN-Plus-One FTAs has been integrating gradually. With the two parties signing the agreement January 1, 2010, ASEAN replaced Japan to become China's third largest trading partner immediately.

"Apparently, the two-way trading volume has grown tremendously and has proven that the regional economy era is ahead," Mr. Hsieh added. "China and ASEAN, especially, will have complementary impacts in economic scale, population structure, consuming power, natural resources and other factors that will see quickly increasing cargo volume."

The waiving of customs tariff as a result of the ASEAN-Plus-One FTAs has also been effective since January 1. This will help the interchange of economy and trade and increase cargo volume. Evergreen Line and Wan Hai Lines will each deploy two vessels of 2,100-TEU capacity with calling ports at Dalian - Tianjin - Qingdao - Hong Kong - Shekou - Jakarta - Port Klang - Singapore - Tanjung Pelepas - Hong Kong - Shanghai - Dalian. The transit time will be 28 days per trip and the first voyage will be from Dalian by Wan Hai's NORTHERN VICTORY S220 and Evergreen Line will dispatch its vessel CONTI BRISBANE S001 from Dalian on July 17.