Deploying vessels of an average 14,000 teu, the new connection provides a second between Sweden and Asia, rivalling 2M’s weekly service to Gothenburg. Fierce competition between the two alliances has been said to be one factor in the sudden decline in Asia-Europe freight rates over the past months.
It is hoped that the new connection will help to grow Swedish exports of forest products, steel, and machinery, and imports including clothing, electronics, foodstuffs, white goods and industrial components. "A wide range of services is crucial for Swedish industry and that is why it is very encouraging indeed that the G6 Alliance believes in the Swedish market and in the Port of Gothenburg as a freight hub,” said Gothenburg sales vp Claes Sundmark. “Direct services mean rapid, safe transport with excellent reliability.”
Håkansson Säll, a gm of G6 member Hyundai Merchant Marine, noted: "We have noted an increase in trade between Scandinavian and China, in particular exports to China. That is why we are returning to Gothenburg with the largest and most modern ships in our fleet."
The new service makes use of Gothenburg’s recent investments by operator APM Terminals, according to the terminal operator's cco Patrik Thulin. "With what is virtually a new terminal, new cranes, new straddle carriers and upgraded land areas we have the capacity to handle vessels of this size rapidly and efficiently. We hope to secure increased volumes from both Sweden and Norway and more customers of this size.”
Starting from Qingdao, the service’s new rotation proceeds to Shanghai, Hong Kong, Yantian, Singapore, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Gdansk, Gothenburg, Antwerp and Southampton before returning via Singapore and Yantian to Qingdao.
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