US service to bypass Panama Canal

An all-water container service via the Suez Canal linking Asian ports to the US east coast will be launched from July. Labelling it as an “industry first,” APL chief executive Ron Widdows said the service is aimed at beating port and rail congestion in North America. APL, which is a subsidiary of Singapore government-controlled Neptune Orient Lines, is deploying five 4,000-4,500-teu ships in the new service. Its New World Alliance partners, Mitsui OSK Lines and Hyundai Merchant Marine will contribute a further three vessels. The new SZX service bypasses the Panama Canal, which is seen as close to full capacity, and offers a fast transit time of 21 days from Singapore to New York. Port rotation comprises Singapore, Colombo, New York, Charleston, Savannah, Norfolk, Jebel Ali, Port Kelang and Singapore. The Alliance will also be launching next month a new, all-water service from Chinese ports to the US East Coast via the Panama Canal together with French liner CMA CGM.