[080717.EN.BIZ] APL Offers New Service to Directly Connect Ports in Asia to Hawaii

APL is launching a new fortnightly service that directly connects Central China, Korea and Japan to Hawaii, branded the Aloha Express (AEX) service.

The AEX service will serve the ports of Shanghai, Busan, Yokohama and Honolulu. From the Asian ports where the AEX service is calling, shippers can expect to benefit from extended connectivity to markets such as Hong Kong, South China, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East amongst others via APL's extensive global network.

The AEX service will commence sailing from Shanghai on July 25 and arrive in Honolulu on August 13.

Designed with the best transit time in the industry, the AEX service promises cargo delivery from Shanghai, Busan and Yokohama to Honolulu in just 19, 15 and 12 days respectively, a company statement said.

"The AEX service introduces a new sea route in our portfolio to directly serve Asia and Hawaii. Instead of routing via the US mainland, shippers with Hawaiian-bound cargo will find a faster shipping alternative in the AEX service," said APL senior vice president of trans-Pacific trade, Jesper Stenbak.

"To optimally coincide with market activities in the US state, shipments on board the AEX service are scheduled for Sunday arrival in Hawaii for early week cargo availability."

Demonstrating APL's commitment to serve and grow in the market, a fully APL-owned and staffed office with local expertise has been set up in Honolulu. In addition, a 990 TEU APL-operated vessel, the APL Aloha, will be fully dedicated to serve the AEX service.

Including the APL Aloha, three APL-operated vessels will be deployed for the service to offer a full array of solutions and equipment including 45-feet containers.

Mr Jesper added: "The AEX service further diversifies APL's extensive market coverage in the trans-Pacific trade. Currently, APL sees 14 services making 104 calls at 35 ports between the key markets across Asia and North America west coast; as well as eight services making 79 calls at 36 ports between Asia and North America east coast each week."

Source : HKSG.