Swire counters ANL’s APR2 with upgraded NAX

SWIRE Shipping has responded promptly to ANL’s introduction of the APR2 service between China, PNG and northern Australia by upgrading its own NAX offering to weekly, effective 22 August. 

Singapore-based Swire announced today [12 August] that the North Asia Express will offer “market-leading speed and reliability” with fixed-day weekly sailings, through the addition of a fourth vessel that also means extra capacity. Two port calls will remain fortnightly, however. 

The carrier says the upgrade will significantly enhance connectivity between the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong SAR and Papua New Guinea, with a weekly port rotation of Shanghai – Ningbo – Nansha – Hong Kong – Motukea (fortnightly) – Townsville (fortnightly) - Lae – Shanghai, the latter claimed as the fastest direct connection currently in the market. 

Reliable transhipment connections to Solomon Islands, New Caledonia and Fiji are available in Lae via Swire Shipping’s service network in the South Pacific, through its Papua New Guinea (PNG) fortnightly service and Pacific Weekly Express (PWX) service. This upgrade reflects Swire Shipping’s ongoing commitment to supporting customer supply chains with dependable, high-frequency services across the region.  

“Upgrading our North Asia Express (NAX) service to a weekly frequency doubles the number of sailings available to customers, giving them faster access to markets and more options to align shipments with production cycles, inventory needs, and delivery timelines,” said Randy Selvaratnam, chief commercial officer. 

The upgraded NAX service will be the second in Swire Shipping’s comprehensive network in the Asia-Pacific to offer weekly connections into PNG and the Pacific Islands. It follows the successful launch of the PWX service in February 2023, that connects Southeast Asia with Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia and Fiji on a weekly schedule.  

The NAX service was first launched in July 2015 and first upgraded, to fixed-day fortnightly, in 2023. It is offered in conjunction with PIL’s Mariana Express Lines which provides one of the (now) four vessels employed. 

The first sailing, by the 2,380 TEU Lae Chief, is due to depart North Asia 22 August and arrive Lae 7 September. It will be followed by the 2,754 TEU TEU Kota Gabung, the 2,380 TEU Motukea Chief and the 2,780 TEU Lautoka Chief. 

ANL’s APR 2, announced on 31 July, rotates Qingdao, Busan, Shanghai, Ningbo, Nansha, Lae, Motukea (Port Moresby), Brisbane, Gladstone, Townsville, Qingdao fortnightly with 3 x 1,700 TEU vessels and begins 12 September.