A new service connecting the Far East and northern Europe arrived at the Port of Hamburg in Germany for the first time in April, the third new operation linking these two regions so far this year.
Jointly operated by the Grand Alliance (Hapag-Lloyd, NKY, OOCL) and the New World Alliance (APL, MOL, HMM), this latest scheduled service is listed as 'Loop D' for the former and 'China Europe Express' for the latter.
The first vessel of the loop, the 6,182 TEU NYK Lyra, arrived in Hamburg on 28 April, with the round-trip lasting 70 days and incorporating Hamburg, Singapore, Chiwan, Shekou, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shekou and Yantian. The return leg has a further call at Singapore before returning to northern Europe.
In addition to the new joint service, the Grand Alliance and the New World Alliance each run three other own-scheduled services, all six of which call at the Port of Hamburg.
Meanwhile, shipping line Hamburg Süd has announced that it, along with Alianca, is boosting rates on its Europe-South America East Coast trade line, the result of 'unsatisfactory' rate levels that it has deemed unsustainable under current economic conditions.
A general rate increase of €350 per TEU will come into place on 1 June 2010 for all cargo moving from Europe to the South American east coast.
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