Boston to get Cosco, Yang Ming, Hanjin direct service via Suez

COSCO, Yang Ming and Hanjin will soon offer a Suez direct service to Boston, according to Massachusetts Port Authority director Mike Leone, reported American Shipper.


"There are shorter transit times to Boston from south east Asia, which is a critical market for New England shippers," he said in an online chat in which he answered questions from the public.


But Mr Leone said exporters would have a direct 30-day transit time between Boston and Hong Kong via Suez. While conceding that the Panama Canal expansion in 2014 would enable 12,000-TEU ships to participate in cargo delivery to New England, it would likely involve transshipment on feeder vessels.


The bulk of the transpacific Panama flow would come indirectly from 6,000 to 8,000-TEU feeders sent north from the Caribbean or US south eastern ports.


Asked if New England would be more competitive if the deepwater ports at Boston and Providence, Rhode Island, consolidated, he said Boston was the true hub of New England and that interstate transport posed its own problems.


While short sea services would reduce truck traffic and emissions, he said that such schemes "need to work economically for the trade community".
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)