October 3, 2008 - Tokyo, Japan - Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. ("K" Line). Wan Hai Lines Ltd (WHL) and Pacific International Lines (Pte) Ltd (PIL) together with KAWASAKI KISEN KAISHA, LTD ("K" Line) have agreed to merge their two existing services, viz. China Middle East service and China Straits Gulf service, and in lieu thereof launch a new service from North China to the Middle East.
The new service will commence from early November with weekly sailing deploying six Panamax size vessels of 4250TEU capacity. WHL will provide three vessels, PIL two vessels and "K" Line will provide one vessel in this joint service.
The port rotation will be as follows:
Qingdao (Sun-Mon) - Lianyungang (Mon-Tue) - Shanghai (Wed-Wed) - Ningbo (Thu-Fri) - Hong Kong (Sat-Sat) -
Shekou (Sun-Sun) - Singapore (Thu-Thu) - Port Kelang (Fri-Sat) - Jebel Ali (Sat-Sun) - Bandar Abbas (Mon-Tue) -
Karachi (Thu-Fri) - Mundra (Fri-Sat) - Port Kelang (Fri-Sat) - Singapore (Sun-Mon) - Hong Kong (Thu-Fri) - Qingdao
The new joint service will provide a comprehensive coverage in China while ensuring reliable and efficient connections from China to Middle East with a transit time of 22 days from Qingdao to Jebel Ali. The new joint service will also enhance the existing network of the three lines in the Asian region.