“We are proud that COSCO has named this new ship after the city of Houston,” said Leonard Waterworth, Executive Director.
The MV COSCO Houston is one of eight ships making their inaugural run on the new Gulf of Mexico Express transpacific service to Houston, celebrating her addition to the COSCO fleet. Her length measures 261m (857 feet) with a breadth of 32.25m (106 feet). She is powered by a turbo-charged diesel engine and has a carrying capacity of 4,253 TEUs.
The maiden voyages also celebrate the launching of COSCO’s all-water service, with vessel-sharing partner Hanjin, which connects Asia and Houston via the Panama Canal.
The Asian all-water service is the fastest-growing trade segment for the Port of Houston Authority.
The rotation for the new service started with the MV COSCO Auckland, followed by the MV Hanjin Versailles, MV SC Rotterdam, MV Northern Faith and MV Buenos Aires. The MV Tian Yun He and the MV COSCO Columbo will round out the new calls.
“This new service is bringing an increase in cargo and will help create jobs by triggering the need for everything from additional pilotage to more tug movements to increased truck hauls,” said Ricky Kunz, Vice President, Trade Development.
The demand for direct services between Asia and Houston has grown significantly as a result of a strong regional economy and a fast-growing population.
The new vessel departed on its maiden voyage from Busan South Korea on June 2, calling Pusan, Shanghai, Ningbo, Xiamen and Yantian before crossing the Pacific Ocean to its expected arrival at the Port of Houston.
With the ability to connect Asian ports like Yantian and Houston in 24 days, the new service provides a competitive transit time between all ports in Asia and Texas for both imports and exports.
Maiden voyages have been coming into the Barbours Cut terminal virtually every week since late May, thanks to the new all-water service featuring partners COSCO and Hanjin.
COSCO is one of the world’s largest container carriers. Houston is one of North America’s largest container ports and the largest on the U.S. Gulf Coast. Houston is the ideal gateway connecting America’s heartland and the world.
Shippers using the all-water route from Asia through the Panama Canal and into the East and Gulf coasts are able to bypass congested West coast ports via the Panama Canal.
