Wan Hai Lines to boost capacity on CTP service by 60pc

WAN HAI Lines has confirmed its China Transpacific service (CTP) that is jointly operated by PIL will not be deploying four 6,039-TEU containerships in the foreseeable future.

The four ships in question will instead join MISC Berhad for deployment on the Far East-Europe trade within the Grand Alliance partnership, reports AXS-Alphaliner News.

The first of these vessels on charter, the Wan Hai 601, was delivered to MISC at the end of last month and has joined the Grand Alliance's Asia-Mediterranean service (EUM). The second ship, the Wan Hai 602 is to be deployed on the Grand Alliance's Asia-Europe EU3 Loop in mid-September.

The two other vessels, the Wan Hai 603 and Wan Hai 605, are expected to be delivered by the New Year.

The report said that five 4,250- to 4,500-TEU containerships will be used on the Wan Hai-PIL joint CTP service. They replace five 2,300- to 3,000-TEU ships, increasing capacity on this service by 60 per cent within six months.

Two of the displaced ships have already joined their new charterer, CMA CGM, while the remaining vessels will be used on the Wan Hai-CSAV Norasia transpacific MTP loop.