Premiere for new service to Asia

A new direct service operated by the G6 Alliance between Sweden and Asia has started. The alliance call at APM Terminals, the container terminal at the Port of Gothenburg, once a week.Up to now, Sweden has had just one direct container service to the Far East-the weekly service operated from Gothenburg by MSC and Maersk Line. Now a second service is added. The international G6 Alliance has invested heavily in a direct freight service between Sweden and Asia."A wide range of services is crucial for Swedish industry and that is why it is very encouraging indeed that the G6 Alliance believes in the Swedish market and in the Port of Gothenburg as a freight hub. Direct services mean rapid, safe transport with excellent reliability," said Claes Sundmark, Vice President Sales and Marketing at the Port of Gothenburg.The new service is definitely in keeping with the times. APM Terminals is well prepared following a series of new investments and an upgraded terminal, making it possible to receive ships and volumes of this size."With what is virtually a new terminal,new cranes,new straddle carriers and upgraded land areas we have the capacity to handle vessels of this size rapidly and efficiently.We hope to secure increased volumes from both Sweden and Norway and more customers of this size,"said Patrik Thulin,CCO at APM Terminals in GothenburgService operated by six shipping companiesThe G6 Alliance comprises the Singapore-based company APL, the Korean company Hyundai, the Japanese companies MOL and NYK, the German company Hapag Lloyd and the Hong Kong-based company OOCL. The last time the G6 Alliance operated out of Gothenburg was in 2012."We have noted an increase in trade between Scandinavian and China, in particular exports to China. That is why we are returning to Gothenburg with the largest and most modern ships in our fleet," said Fredrik Håkansson Säll, General Manager at Hyundai Merchant Marine."The Swedish market has developed positively and industry has actively sought new alternatives for direct traffic between Gothenburg and the Far East. This service will boost trade between Sweden and China and it will be crucial for the future growth of the two countries," said Johan Wester, Country Manager at OOCL Sweden.Weekly sailing to ChinaThe first ship bound for the Far East left Gothenburg on August 28, carrying mainly forest products, steel and machinery. The service will call at APM Terminals in Gothenburg once a week. Imports will include clothing, electronics, foodstuffs, white goods and industrial components. The ships used in this rotation can carry around 14,000 containers.The rotation covers the following ports-Qingdao (China)-Shanghai (China)-Hong Kong (China)-Yantian (China)-Singapore (Singapore)-Rotterdam (Netherlands)-Hamburg (Germany)-Gdansk (Poland)-Gothenburg (Sweden)-Antwerp (Belgium)-Southampton (United Kingdom)-Singapore (Singapore)-Yantian (China)-Qingdao (China).