High cargo demand on the Transpacific not only attracts newcomerssuch as KMTC or CULines, but also encourages big East West carriers to addcapacity.
The Gemini Cooperation formed by Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd will nextmonth launch a sixth loop between the Far East and the West Coast of NorthAmerica. This additional ?P9?(Maersk) or ?C6?service will cover East Chinaand South Korea.
It will turn in six weeks calling at Xiamen, Busan, Long Beach,Xiamen. The 4,622 teu RHONE MAERSK will offer a first sailing ex Xiamen on 24June. She will be followed one week later by the 4,253 teu SYNERGY KEELUNG,which will be handed over to Maersk at the of June for a three-year timeter. Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd currently load Chinese export cargo ex Xiamento North America on a regional Gemini shuttle service (?sia shuttle 14?/ ?S5?) for transshipment in Busan. The new direct Xiamen ?Long Beach connectionwill offer a transit time of 18 days.
