APL today introduced a new service to expand its presence in Latin America. The West Coast Express (WCX) service replaces the Panama Andean Express 2 service. The new service is a vessel sharing agreement with Hamburg Süd. APL will operate two vessels and Hamburg Süd will operate one vessel, each with a nominal capacity of 1300 TEU.
The service links the South America West Coast directly to Central America, and connects to the North America West Coast and other major markets via APL’s global linehaul services (Mexico Asia Express and Pacific South 2). It provides APL’s customers with connections to the carrier’s global network via its hubs in Panama and Mexico.
The new service will include direct port calls in La Union (El Salvador) and Puerto Caldera (Costa Rica), increasing APL’s global coverage and creating access to new markets for its customers.
“The call at the Port of La Union is an extension of APL’s scope of services to a young and growing port of call,” said Gene Seroka, President for APL in the Americas . “We are excited that this revised product introduces APL’s reliable service to a new and eager customer base.”
The new service port rotation is: Balboa – Paita – Guayaquil – Balboa – Puerto Quetzal – Lazaro Cardenas – La Union – Puerto Caldera – Balboa. The first sailing will begin on 4 September 2011 from Balboa on the vessel Mizar.
APL’s Mexico Central America Express (MCX) will continue coverage of all ports in the current rotation in Central America (Lazaro Cardenas – Acajutla – Puerto Quetzal – Lazaro Cardenas).
About APL
APL is a global container shipping business offering more than 80 weekly services and more than 500 calls at more than 140 ports worldwide. It combines world-class intermodal operations with leading-edge IT and e-commerce. APL is a unit of Singapore-based Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), global shipping and logistics company.
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Source: APL, August 25, 2011;