HMM announced on the 17th that it will launch new container services in the Atlantic and India-Europe routes starting in February next year. The new services are the Trans Atlantic 1 (TA1), which connects Europe and the Americas by crossing the Atlantic, and the India North Europe Express (INX), which links India and Northern Europe.
The TA1 route is one of the major deep-sea routes, marking HMM's re-entry after seven years since the termination of services in 2018. With this entry into the Atlantic route, which has been difficult for Korean shipping companies, HMM can now provide services in all major east-west routes, including the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
The TA1 service is scheduled to start in February next year from Southampton, United Kingdom, involving the deployment of 10 container ships with a capacity of 4,600 TEU each, taking a total of 70 days for round trips.
The ports of call include Southampton (United Kingdom), Le Havre (France), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Hamburg (Germany), Antwerp (Belgium), Miami (United States), Cartagena (Colombia), Panama Canal, Rodman (Panama), Los Angeles/Long Beach (United States), Oakland (United States), Rodman (Panama), Panama Canal, Caucedo (Dominican Republic), and Southampton (United Kingdom).
To target the rapidly growing Indian market, HMM will also newly establish the INX service connecting India and Northern Europe. The plan is to enhance services in the Indian region by linking it with existing services centered around India, such as the India-Mediterranean (FIM) and India-North America (IAX) services.
The first sailing will depart from Karachi, Pakistan, in February next year, with 11 container ships of 6,000 TEU capacity, taking a total of 77 days for round trips.
The ports of call include Karachi (Pakistan), Hajiira (India), Mundra (India), Nava Sheva (India), Colombo (Sri Lanka), London Gateway (United Kingdom), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Hamburg (Germany), Antwerp (Belgium), and Karachi (Pakistan).
A representative from HMM noted, “The establishment of this new service will significantly enhance our network competitiveness,” adding that “we plan to continually pursue entry into new markets based on our 2030 long-term strategy.”