Maersk, MSC to launch new trans-Pacific service after Hanjin fallout

[THE INVESTOR] Danish container carrier Maersk and Switzerland-based MSC said they are introducing a new trans-Pacific route, in response to Hanjin Shipping’s bankruptcy filing that has left firms searching for additional routes to handle their cargo.

Maersk, the world’s largest container line, on Sept. 8 said it will operate the new service between Asia and the US West Coast beginning Sept. 15.

The liner will deploy six vessels with a capacity of 4,000 TEU. The new service will call at ports of Yantian, Shanghai, Busan and Los Angeles. 

MSC, the second largest shipper, will also launch a new service between China, Korea and Canada on Sept. 15.

It will add six vessels with 5,000 TEU capacity. The service will be calling from the ports of Busan, Shanghai, Yantian and Prince Rupert.

Meanwhile, Chinese carrier COSCO and Taiwan’s Yang Ming also increased number of vessels on its China-Korea-US route.

Local industry watchers say the new service by global carriers can solve the supply shortages for now, but it could hurt the already precarious Korean shippers and cause them to further lose ground on their key routes.
By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)