OOCL plans direct links to Penang Port

ORIENT Overseas Container Line (OOCL) plans to launch a new dedicated direct service linking China, Pakistan and the Indian region with Penang Port early 2008.
According to the managing director of Orient Overseas Container Line (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Richard Hew, the new service will be part of the shipping line's commitment to facilitate cargo movement in the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER).
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 services from three major ports, namely Shanghai, Ningbo and Shekou," said Hew.
He said the line will be deploying a mid-range carrier with the 1,200 TEUs carrying capacity in the trade.
"We are made to understand that the port will be dredging the approach channel to 13.5m from the present 11.5m to allow the passage of bigger mainline vessels," Hew added.
"We believe the service is timely and hope to get "berthing window" from the Penang Port," said Hew.
The service links 10 major ports in five countries in the region, namely China, Pakistan, India, Singapore and Malaysia.
"Our move to introduce the new service will further help the government's effort to spearhead the growth of the NCER.
" 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 joint service with Yang Ming Line and OOCL.
The port rotation will include Shanghai - Ningbo - Shekou - Singapore - Karachi - Mundra - Penang - Port Klang - Singapore - Hong Kong - Shanghai, for a 35-day round trip. The service also offers the fastest connection of seven days between Mundra Port in India and Penang Port in Malaysia. - PortsWorld