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Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) plans to
launch a new dedicated direct linking China,
Pakistan and India region with Penang Port in
early 2008.
According to the managing director of Orient
Overseas Container Line (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd,
Richard Hew the new service would be part of the
shipping line’s commitment to facilitating cargo
movement in the Northern Corridor Economic
Region.
The NCER, which covers the states of Penang,
Perlis, Perak and Kedah) expects to draw an
investment of RM177 billion between 2007 and
2025 from the public and private sectors.
“Our new service will definitely strengthen the
position of Penang Port serving the development
of the region. The new service will also become
the first direct link between Penang Port and
the central China with direct service from three
major ports namely Shanghai, Ningbo and Shekou,”
said Richard.
He said the line would be deploying mid range
carrier with the 1,200 teus carrying capacity in
the trade.
“We made to understand that the port will be
dredging the approach channel to 13.5 metres
from present 11.5 metres to allow the passage of
bigger mainline vessels,” said Richard.
“We believe the service is timely and hope to
get “berthing window” from the Penang Port,” he
added.
The service links 10 major ports in five
countries in the region namely China, Pakistan,
India, Singapore and Malaysia.
“Our effort to introduce new service will
further help government effort to spear the
growth of the Northern Corridor Economic Region.
The service will also allow us to handle more
regional transshipment traffic via Penang Port
direct to final destinations,” he said.
The new service, known as "China Pakistan
Express" will be a join service with Yang Ming
Line and OOCL will be deploying 2 ships and
remaining from the Yang Ming Line.
The port rotation will include Shanghai – Ningbo
– Shekou – Singapore – Karachi – Mundra – Penang
– Port Klang - Singapore – Hong Kong - Shanghai,
for a 35-day roundtrip. The service also offers
the fastest connection of seven days between
Mundra port in India and Penang Port in
Malaysia. |
