JAPAN: Wan Hai Lines recently disclosed that they are going to launch Japan-Vietnam service which will connect Kansai and Haiphong, going to be named Kansai Haiphong Service 2.
Three 700teu-box ships will be deployed for the JSH2 with a port rotation of Hakata, Moji, Incheon, Dalian, Kaohsiung, Hong Kong, Haiphong, Fangcheng, Hong Kong, and Kaohsiung.
This will be Wan Hai’s third Haiphong string, which will connect Japan, Korea, and Dalian to Haiphong directly, and serve Guangxi province in South China via Fangcheng.
In spite of the low season of container shipping in December, freight rates of Asia-Europe services remained around $1,230 per teu, leaving at least a $200-margin, according to a local shipping expert, and the rates of services to west and east cost of America remained unchanged or higher, which will secure better performance for Wan Hai Line in its 4Q14.