MELBOURNE, AUS / SANTA ANA, CA – January 7, 2008 – U.S. Lines (USL) and ANL announce a major realignment of their service structure in three key tradelanes in which their alliance operates. These changes are aimed at improving the service offered to their valued customers. Highlights follow:
WEST COAST OF THE USA TO/FROM AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND
Further strengthening their commitment to the Australasia trade, USL & ANL’s joint service will turn their ships Northbound from Australia and New Zealand. They will no longer operate the present “Triangle Service” around the Pacific Rim, but instead will initiate a dedicated North/South service from Oakland/Los Angeles to/from Australia/New Zealand. This initiative will significantly improve Northbound transit times from Australia, and will for the first time offer a competitive alternative to exporters from New Zealand to the US West Coast.
The reconfigured service commences with the February 2 departure of the Eagle 2 from Melbourne. The new vessel rotation will be: Melbourne-Sydney-Brisbane-Tauranga/Auckland-Oakland-Long Beach. Southbound transit times, departure/arrival dates, and cutoff times will remain as they are today.
TRANS-TASMAN
An added benefit to the launch of their new North/South service will be the emergence of another weekly Eastbound Trans-Tasman offering with this string, bolstering the scope of services currently offered in the Trans-Tasman trade. This Eastbound service also commences with the February 2 sailing of the Eagle 2 from Melbourne. Trade between Australia and New Zealand is robust and both ANL & USL’s customers will benefit from an extensive array of varied options to serve their needs.
TRANSPACIFIC EASTBOUND
As a result of the initiation of their North/South service, USL & ANL will transfer their Transpacific volumes aboard CMA-CGM’s Pearl River Express service effective mid-February. Customers will benefit from a highly competitive 12 day transit from S. China to LA. The Pearl River Express provides weekly fixed day sailings from Chiwan, Hong Kong, and Yantian, direct to Long Beach and Oakland.
Media Contacts:
ANL—Bruno Gutton, Melbourne, Aus Tel (61) 3 92 57 06 87
USL—Nick Hay, Santa Ana, CA Tel (510) 589-4359