Lykes Lines launches North Europe-Asia link

Lykes Lines is launching its first service between North Europe and Asia on December 1.

The initiative is another link in the expanding service network which Lykes Lines offers its customers. The line launched a Mediterranean-Asia link in March and its Asia-Africa-East Coast South America Service in August.

The new North Europe-Asia Service, operating weekly fixed day services over two loops, will call at a wide range of ports in Asia, with particular focus on Chinese gateways.

"European shippers already acknowledge Lykes Lines as a premium brand on the North Atlantic, so we're sure they will be keen to ship with us on the Asia route as well, " says Tony Bruno, VP Commercial. "We have expertise and experience in both the European and Asia markets, so it is a logical step to offer a service between these two very important trading areas.

"We have an extensive network of offices and agency representation throughout Asia and we offer a range of feeder services."

In North Europe, the new service will call in the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, with extensive inland connections from all ports. "We have a comprehensive logistics operation in Europe," says Mr Bruno.

Together with the Mediterranean-Asia Service, this new link will provide Asian shippers with comprehensive coverage throughout Europe. Lykes Lines already offers three services between Asia and North/South America as well as the recently launched Asia-Africa-East Coast South America Service.

"The new North Europe-Asia Service offers our customers the same high quality they can expect from all Lykes Lines services," says Mr Bruno. "It means customers have yet another trade route where they can, for instance, access real-time sailing schedules on the web or take advantage of our insurance services. They know our customer service people understand their business and provide unrivalled levels of service."

The service will be offered on the existing CMA-CGM services.

The port rotations are:

North Europe-Asia Loop 1: Le Havre, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Zeebrugge, Southampton, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian, Hong Kong, Le Havre.

North Europe-Asia Loop 2: Southampton, Hamburg, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Le Havre, Port Kelang, Singapore, Pusan, Kwangyang, Tianjin, Dalian, Qingdao, Xiamen, Hong Kong, Southampton.