ANL reworks APR2, Swire adds port

ANL will revise its APR2 China-PNG-Queensland service from early next month to increase schedule reliability and improve some key transits.

The changes will see three ports dropped – Qingdao, Busan and Townsville – with a greater emphasis on transhipment to other CMA CGM Group services over Hong Kong, to improve North China, South Korea and Japan connections.

The new pro-forma schedule will take effect Flora Delmas V1126S ETA Ningbo 6 July, with rotation Ningbo / Shanghai / Hong Kong / Nansha / Lae / Motukea / Brisbane / Gladstone / Ningbo.

This will also continue to provide transhipment opportunities for Solomon Islands & Vanuatu (via Lae) along with Noumea (via Brisbane), ANL says.

“APR 2 will continue to complement our existing APR Service which continues to offer a fortnightly service from South East Asia to/from PNG and Far North Queensland.”

APR and APR2 each operate with three c.1,700 TEU vessels.

Meanwhile, Swire Shipping has added a call at Noro in the Solomon Islands to its Pacific Weekly Express (PWX) service from South East Asia to the South Pacific and PNG.

Ironically, the Noro call will be fortnightly, as are six other calls on the PWX. The rotation now is Port Klang, Singapore, Jakarta*, Motukea, Lae, Noumea, Suva, Lautoka*, Honiara*, Noro*, Rabaul*, Madang*, Lae (northbound)*.

The service employs six ships from 1,678 TEU to 2,554 TEU, with one ship provided by Carpenters Shipping, on a 42-day round voyage.

(* denotes alternating loop)