Evergreen Marine Corp (長榮海運) said yesterday it is scheduled to work with an international shipping alliance in operating routes between Asia and Europe from the second quarter of next year.
The partnership with CKYH-the Green Alliance is expected to help Evergreen increase the frequency of its service loops, expedite delivery and expand its port coverage in Asia and Europe, the Taiwanese company said.
Evergreen said it would deploy four container vessels with a capacity of 8,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) or larger to jointly provide eight weekly service loops between Asia and Europe and four between Asia and the Mediterranean.
The company said it is not planning to join CKYH for the moment, but will use the strategic partnership to enhance business ties with other shippers.
CKYH, formed in March 2002, comprises Taiwan’s Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp (陽明海運), China Ocean Shipping (Group) Co (COSCO, 中遠集團) of China, Japan’s Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd (known as “K” Line) and Hanjin Shipping Co of South Korea.
Despite the partnership with CKYH, Evergreen said it would maintain its business links with another Chinese company, China Shipping Container Lines Co (中海集裝箱運輸), to provide joint services between Asia and Europe.
Evergreen currently operates a fleet of 168 vessels, comprising 79 of its own ships and 89 leased vessels. The shipper is set to take delivery of a new 8,000 TEU vessel in July and is expected to receive a total of 30 vessels, each with a capacity of 8,000 TEUs, by the middle of 2015.
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