THE FIRST SAILING in MSC’s latest iteration of the Koala Service brand is due to take place from Shanghai on Wednesday [30 October] as the Swiss company inaugurates it new China-South East Asia-Fremantle link.
The 1800 TEU newbuilding MSC Sijing is making the first voyage on a weekly port rotation that has been modified since first announced (DCN 2 October). The roster is now Shanghai-Hong Kong-Jakarta-Fremantle-Jakarta- Shanghai, with HK replacing the originally nominated Shekou.
There has also been some typical MSC fluctuation in the allocated fleet, with MSC Shijing replacing sister MSC Kyungmin, both SDARI 1800 ‘open top’ designs of which the company has 10 sisters delivered and on order from Fujian Mawei shipyard.
MSC Sijing is currently listed to be followed by the 2741 TEU MSC Cape III, the 2556 TEU MSC Hanisha III and the 2556 TEU MSC Lucia III. First Fremantle arrival is scheduled for 12 November.
Separately, Danish carrier Maersk is also kicking off a Shanghai base port service.
Maersk announced a revived Northern Star last month (DCN 26 September) would take the form of a rapid weekly service between Greater China and New Zealand, with a southbound call in Brisbane. Full rotation is Shanghai – Hong Kong – Brisbane – Auckland – Nelson – Timaru – Port Chalmers – Napier – Tauranga, with Maersk promising NZ exporters a Tauranga-Shanghai transit of 15 days. Maersk said that combined with its J Star service – operated in consortium with COSCO SL and ONE – this would mean two weekly sailings to NZ’s most important export market.
Northern Star is operating with 8 ships ranging from 2664-3364 TEU, all with 500 reefer plugs, and including Capitaine Baret, chartered from NPDL. The first voyage is being undertaken by a former OC1 service vessel, the 3364 TEU Maersk Innoshima, which sailed from Shanghai 20 October and is expected Brisbane 5 November, with first NZ port Auckland on 11 November.
