MOL Announces Service Changes

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd (MOL; President: Akimitsu Ashida) revised coverage on its Asia-East Coast South America Service (CSW).

The revised coverage will make an additional call at W/B Durban and cancel Yantian call instead. The revised port rotation is Kobe, Yokohama, Nagoya, Pusan, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Durban, Santos, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Paranagua, Sao Francisco Do Sul, Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Singapore, Hong Kong and Kobe.

The new service rotation went into effect with the “MOL Destiny” Voy.8101 (ETD Singapore January 17, 2009). In conjunction with the W/B Durban call by CSW, South African Express Service (ZAX) is suspended.

“In view of market demand decrease, we postponed the inauguration of the independent Asia-East Coast South America service and will continue the joint operation with Pacific International Line (PIL),” said MOL. (Refer to the announcement dated October 31, 2008 titled “MOL to Launch Independent Asia-East Coast South America Service”)

MOL General Manager, Liner Division T.K.Konishi said, “MOL’s long term strategy of expanding in these promising trade lanes remains unchanged. MOL remains committed to providing a full complement of options to our East Coast of South America trade and South Africa trade customers through our ongoing services. MOL’s commitment is also exemplified by our CX1 service that provides industry leading transit time to and from the Brazilian Amazon region.”