APL introduces new intra-Asia service

APL introduced a new weekly service to enhance its network coverage in East Asia. The new Japan Thailand 2 (JT2) service is operated through a vessel sharing agreement with Hanjin Shipping with three vessels of 1,700 TEU nominal capacity each.

The launch of the JT2 service enhances APL’s global product offering and extends the following to its customers:

- Complements the existing Japan Thailand Vietnam (JTV) service to provide a comprehensive service network for customers trading between South East Asia, North Asia and Japan
- Gives wider coverage of the Kansai and West  Japan regions
- Links Taiwan and the Pearl River Delta regions to Thailand, with competitive transit times
- Connects to APL’s global network via transshipment hubs in Kaohsiung and Hong Kong

The new service port rotation is Osaka – Kobe - Hibiki – Hakata – Kaohsiung – Chiwan – Laem Chabang – Hong Kong – Kaohsiung – Osaka.

The first northbound sailing began on December 21st, 2012 from Laem Chabang. The first southbound sailing began on December 24th, 2012 from Osaka. < Korea Shipping Gazette >