UASC reinforces its Asia Middle East presence

22 Nov 2009

Source:CI Online

The Kuwait-headquartered UASC, which is owned by the Governments of Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, has taken steps to significantly strengthen its presence in the core Far East/Middle East trade.

The moves include the carrier resurrecting its AGX 2 service, which had been suspended in April 2009 as the global economic downturn really hit the market, and concluding reciprocal slot sharing arrangements with Shanghai-based China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL).

The latter deal involves UASC giving CSCL space on its AGX 1 loop in return for the Chinese operator granting it access to slots on its AMA service. No details were divulged on the number of containers being exchanged.

Both carriers will benefit from improved levels of sailing frequency in key markets, with two departures a week scheduled between southern China (Nansha/Yantian/Shekou), the Yangtze river delta areas (Shanghai/Ningbo), South Korea and South East Asia (Singapore/Port Klang).

In future, the AGX 1 loop will be maintained with six ships loading between 3,800 and 4,250TEU on an itinerary calling direct at Busan, Shanghai, Ningbo, Xiamen, Yantian, Khor Fakkan, Jebel Ali, Dammam, Khor Fakkan, Singapore and return to Busan.

Meanwhile, CSCL's AMA link, which is operated jointly with CMA CGM and is being marketed as AGX 3 by UASC, calls at Xingang, Dalian, Busan, Shanghai, Ningbo, Shekou, Port Klnag, Khor Fakkan, Jebel Ali, Shaheed Rajaee (Bandar Abbas), Port Klang, Nansha and return to Xingang. It deploys five shuips loading in excess of 8,200TEU.

Finally, the reconstituted AGX2 string, which will commence sailings towards the end of November, will use 5 x 2,700/3,800TEU on a loop calling direct at Hong Kong, Singapore, Laem Chabang, Singapore, Port Klang, Jebel Ali, Khor Fakkan, Mina Qaboos, Singapore and return to Hong Kong