ContainersGreater China

New entrant on the Asia-Europe tradelane

There’s set to be a new entrant on the booming Asia – Europe container tradelane.

China United Lines (CU Lines), which was founded in 2005 initially as a domestic then intra-Asia operator, is going it alone, entering the east-west tradelane at a time when rates are in record terriritory.

The company’s first Asia – Europe service will depart southern China on February 6 on the 2,700 teu Laila, a ship chartered in from Peter Dohle. The service will call at Hamburg and Rotterdam, according to an advert placed via WeChat.

Rates from Asia to north Europe dropped 0.4% today, but are still up by 335% year-on-year.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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