The shipping service between Asia and North America heralds a new focus for the shipping line, known for its specialisation in the north-south trades.
Since commencing this service in 2001, Safmarine has witnessed steady growth in this east-west trade. The line has been gradually adding capacity to its space sharing agreement with sister company Maersk Sealand and is now able to offer a full range of options to its growing customer base.
"We believe our ability to offer a Tier One Transpacific product thanks to our Group's resources combined with Safmarine's personal approach to business will be a successful formula for growth" says Peter H Ehrenreich, Safmarine's Regional Executive for Asia.
"Our product is first class, our coverage is extensive and our service remains as always, personalized," said Ehrenreich.
Safmarine's range of seven Trans-Pacific strings will offer direct weekly calls to over 30 Trans-Pacific ports. The line expects significant growth to come from Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. Currently the highest volumes of cargo on this trade move between China and the USA, followed by Japan to the US.
Ehrenreich says Safmarine's range of personalized shipping services is finding increasing favour in Asia.
"We offer exporters and importers an industry-focused service. Companies particularly involved in the furniture, garments, textiles, electronic goods and footwear trades want a tailor-made service that offers long-term commitment, high quality container equipment, combined with the personal touch. Safmarine is well-placed to offer such a service," he said.
Safmarine's Transpacific service is an A.P. Moller-Maersk Group operated service.
TP2-PNW Express Service
The TP2 service offers direct port calls in Thailand, South China and South Korea direct into Tacoma, allowing access to the Mid-West region in the US. There is also a direct call into Vancouver, Canada.
TP3 ' North Atlantic All Water Express service
Weekly service with direct calls in US North Atlantic ports of Port Elizabeth/Newark and Norfolk. Sailings from Shanghai, Yantian, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung and Yokohama provide extensive coverage into the US East Coast.
TP 5 ' Shanghai Express Service
This weekly service offers direct product out of Shanghai together with coverage of the key South Korean ports of Kwangyang and Busan, allowing us to offer competitive transhipment services with a transit time from Shanghai to Los Angeles of just 13 days.
TP6 ' East Asia Express service
Comprehensive service covering Malaysia, Singapore, Southern China including Hong Kong to Southern California. Via our dedicated transshipment hub in Tanjung Pelepas, we provide reliable connections from Indonesia and Vietnam.
TP 7 ' South Atlantic All Water Express Service
A weekly all water service with direct calls into the US East Coast, the South Atlantic ports of Miami, Savannah and Charleston. Sailings from Yokohama, Kobe, Hong Kong, Yantian and Kwangyang provide extensive coverage into the US East Coast.
TP 8 ' Bohai Express Service
A weekly service provides competitive transit times and direct coverage of North China ports of Qingdao and Xingang together with extensive coverage of Japan base ports of Kobe, Nagoya, Yokohama direct to Oakland and Los Angeles. Busan is used as a major transhipment hub for Dalian cargo.
TP 9 ' LA Express Service
Competitive weekly service covering Xiamen direct into Los Angeles and Tacoma. Relay service for cargo from Vietnam and Phillipines with transshipment via Kaohsiung.
