APL to launch North China-India service
APL is understood to launch a China-India Express service (CIX - 3630), connecting Xingang, Dalian and Qingdao to Colombo and Mumbai-Nhava Sheva. The CIX is expected to turn in five weeks, using five ships of around 2,500 teu. The new service will call also at Singapore both ways, possibly taking part of the volumes currently handled by two Singapore-India weekly shuttles, the SSX and SS2 (3628 / 3629). MOL and OOCL are also co-loaders on these latter shuttles.Besides, APL is also increasing by 50% the capacity of its South China-Middle East Express service (CMX - 3627), by replacing 2,500 teu ships with 3,500 teu ones. These 3,500 teu ships belong to a newbuilding program of 10 chartered ships launched two years ago, the delivery of which started in December 2006 (See related news).