Shipping giant APL has moved to cater for emerging regions in Central Vietnam through the launch of the weeklyChu Lai Haiphong Express service.
The new route was unveiled on 24 March when APL Chu Lai, a 1,200-TEU vessel, made its maiden direct call at the Chu Lai Tam Hiep Port.
The service will call at the ports of Chu Lai, Haiphong, Hong Kong and Shekou (China), with inbound shipments from Hong Kong and Shekou taking three and two days respectively. Outbound shipments from Chu Lai will arrive in Hong Kong and Shekou in four days.
“Exporters and importers are now able to leverage the service to gain immediate access to China and Hong Kong, benefit from more competitive transit times and reduce related logistics and transportation costs,” said APL global commercial head, Indika Dassanayake.
The Chu Lai Haiphong Express service comesas APL looks to enhance its presence in Vietnam, as the country diversifies its industrial zones to Central Vietnam, where transport and logistics infrastructure is being increasingly developed.
“Vietnam is one of the Asian economies that is most open to international trade,” Dassanayake added. “As a global carrier, we seek to provide market linkages through our services at non-traditional seaports such as the Chu Lai port, as they are increasingly being developed to accommodate direct international maritime routes.”
