APL today announced the launch of Eagle Express service (EX1), a weekly U.S.-flagged service that will connect key markets in North Asia with the U.S. West Coast, as well as serve the U.S. inland regions via rail.
The port rotation of the Eagle Express service is: Qingdao – Shanghai – Busan – Los Angeles – Oakland – Dutch Harbor – Yokohama – Busan – Naha – Qingdao – Shanghai.
With end-to-end operational control by the container carrier, this exclusive service has been meticulously designed to provide shippers with maximum schedule reliability.
APL said that shippers are expected to benefit from seamless connectivity at the port of Los Angeles where APL-run U.S.-flagged vessels expeditiously discharge containers at APL’s Global Gateway South, Southern California’s best-in-class terminal. From there, 11 weekly APL-dedicated LinerTrainTM services directly depart on-dock for express transits to key inland destinations, including Chicago, Memphis, Dallas, Houston and New York.
The Eagle Express service features speedy transits to Los Angeles - just 13 days from Shanghai and 11 days from Busan. Additionally, Tuesday vessel arrival in Los Angeles assures same-week local cargo availability.
As one of the exclusive services to call the ports of Dutch Habour and Naha of Japan, westbound shippers can count on the Eagle Express to gain access to these markets. Meanwhile, shipment from Dutch Habour to Yokohama via this service will take a mere seven days.
APL will deploy six vessels with a nominal capacity of 5,100 TEU each for the service. The first sailing of the Eagle Express service will depart Qingdao on 1 November 2015.