Movement kicks in
The RCEP free-trade zone established on 15 November (‘only’ online, due to Covid-19) directly affects almost a third of the world’s population. New moves in the China trade have already been initiated now, before the expected Far Eastern trade rejuvenation.
The Israeli shipping line ZIM is expanding its China–Australia express service. This step can certainly not yet be considered a direct result of the Far East’s new RCEP free-trade agreement; but it nevertheless slots nicely into the latest developments.
CAX service to offer two loops
In detail the line has announced that its China–Australia express service (CAX) is being separated into two loops. The original route will now offer one of the fastest Shanghai–Sydney transit times – twelve days. It will call at the gateways of Xiamen, Ningbo, Shanghai, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
The second new service was launched under the name of C2A on 4 December. It offers a transit time of eleven days from Laem Chabang to Ho Chi Minh City, Nansha, Yantian, Sydney, Melbourne and finally Brisbane. The shipping line deploys six 2,500 teu units with extra capacities and reefer connections.
The Geneva-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has started a new express service between Asia and the west coast of Latin America, which it calls the ‘Cherry Express service’, designed to transport cherries and other fruit.
Valparaíso is linked to Hong Kong in 23 days; Nansha in 25 and Shanghai in 26 days (both with transhipment in Hong Kong). Shippers can make use of MSC’s feeder services to serve further interesting Southeast Asian destinations.
Extra unscheduled sailings
MSC will deploy two additional ships, the Alessia and the Fiammetta, in weeks 49 and 51. They will sail outside of the regular timetable and offer direct links to other Chinese ports, including Shanghai and Nansha. The Asociación de Exportadores de Frutas de Chile (Chilean fruit exporters association Asoex) expects cherry exports to grow by around 36% in the 2020 / 2021 season.
