[040312.EN.SEA] MSC Deploys Its First 12,500 TEU, The Fabiola, On Asia-US West Coast Trade

MEDITERRANEAN Shipping Company has deployed its first 12,500-TEU vessel on its Asia-US west coast trade, with the addition of the MSC Fabiola to its Pearl River Express' service (PRX) that is jointly operated with CMA CGM.

Come mid-March and the 11,660-TEU MSC Francesca is expected to join the PRX as well. Alphaliner said the two giants were earlier participating on Far East-Europe/Mediterranean services, and most recently on the Far East-North Europe Lion service. These ships are being replaced by newbuildings of 13,000 to 14,000 TEU.

The PRX was previously operated using six ships ranging in size from 8,000-9,000 TEU. The service calls at the ports of Fuzhou, Xiamen, Shenzhen-Chiwan, Hong Kong, Shenzhen-Yantian, Long Beach and Oakland.

This development means that the two US west coast ports will be tasked with handling their largest containership so far.

Maersk Line is already deploying 10,000-TEU vessels on its transpacific trade.

Source : HKSG, 02.03.12.