HUTCHISON Ports Sydney recently welcomed a ship from the new China-Australia (CAX) service, with the arrival of the vessel GSL Africa.

As reported in Daily Cargo News recently, the CAX service involves six 2500TEU vessels with Gold Star Line, part of the Israeli liner company ZIM.

To celebrate the ship’s Sydney arrival, Hutchison Ports Australia CEO John Willy presented John Van Pelt, general manager of Inchcape Shipping, agents for Gold Star in Australia, with a plaque to commemorate the launch of the service in Australia.

“Hutchison Ports is honoured to be chosen as the container terminal for the CAX Service in Sydney and we will work closely together with Gold Star Line to ensure the service is a success in the Australian trade,” Mr Willy said.

The GSL Africa in Sydney. Credit: HPH

While Hutchison has the job of stevedoring CAX ships in Sydney, that task has been awarded to Patrick Terminals in Brisbane and Melbourne, a boost for that business also.

GSL Africa at the Patrick terminal at East Swanson Dock, Melbourne. Credit: Patrick Terminals.

With the rapid growth of the China-Australia trade, the CAX Service is a new entrant to the Australian market and will offer importers and exporters a fast service between East Coast Australia to Ningbo, Shanghai and Yantian.

Mr Willy said the take-up for the new service had been good, reflecting strong demand for imported products.