The Containership Co to launch from Taicang on April 17

Copenhagen: Following in the famous footsteps of Chinese admiral Zheng He, The Containership Company is to launch its first service from the Jiangsu port of Taicang to Los Angeles/Long Beach on April 17. Flagged up as box shipping's answer to budget airlines TCC will become the first line to offer a direct service between Taicang - where Admiral Zheng set off 600 years ago with his treasure ships to explore the world - and the US. Franck Kayser, managing director of TCC told Seatrade Asia Online the weekly service would only be calling at these two ports. The new company is deploying five chartered vessels of between 2,600 teu and 2,900 teu in capacity, with the service being inaugurated by the Taicang Dragon. Kayser said Taicang offered up 9m teu in possible cargo and shipping direct would result in shorter transit than shipping via Shanghai. He said the new company was looking into launching additional transpacific services and Asia - Europe. "We do expect to have an Asia - Europe service by the end of this year," he added. TCC has been established in Norway with a capital of $25m. [28/02/10]