Maersk Line and MCC Transport have announced the start of a direct and fast weekly service connecting China with Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
The Intra Asia Service 4 (IA-4) offers one of the best transit times in the market from Jakarta (Indonesia) to Hong Kong/China as well as a fast and direct service from China to Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. The new service also provides an excellent pre-weekend cut-off from Shanghai (China), Ningbo (Japan) and Singapore. In addition, it serves the North and West Port in Port Klang (Malaysia).
The port rotation will take 21 days and cover the ports of Shanghai (China), Ningbo (China), Shekou (China), Singapore, Port Klang (Malaysia), Jakarta (Indonesia), and Hong Kong (China).
The first vessel on the new service will be the Westertal, voyage 001S, expected to depart from Shanghai (Waigaoqiao) on July 21, 2008.
The IA-4 will offer:
' Direct coverage from the Shanghai Waigaoqiao terminal
' Comprehensive coverage of the ports in Port Klang, Malaysia (both West Port and North Port)
' Pre-weekend cut-off for exports from Shanghai (south bound), Ningbo (south bound) and Singapore (south bound)
' Improved transit times
RATE RESTORATION
Maersk Line has announced that a Rate Restoration will be implemented from October 1, 2008 on their services from Europe (including Scandinavia, Baltic Sea, North and Central Europe, United Kingdom and Ireland, Mediterranean, North Africa and Black Sea) to Australia and New Zealand.
The rate restoration will be a minimum of EUR 75 per teu (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) and apply for all shipments.
The rates from Europe to Australia & New Zealand have fallen significantly in the last two years, resulting in current levels being about USD 350 per feu (Forty-Foot Equivalent Unit) less than 2006. Over the same period, operating costs have increased in excess of 15%. A program to restore rates is required to ensure the route can support longer-term development, which is in the interest of both customers and Maersk Line.
