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Direct Container Shipping Service Between Halifax & Vietnam Ports

Halifax, NS - August 11, 2009 - The CKYH Alliance will start direct container shipping service between ports in Vietnam and Halifax on August 19, 2009. Ho Chi Minh City is being added to the current AWE-4 service including direct port calls at Singapore, Shekou, Hong Kong, and Yantian.

The CKYH Alliance members, Cosco Container Lines, "K" Line, Yang Ming and Hanjin Shipping, began calling the Port of Halifax in May 2009 providing connections between Asia and the East Coast of North America. Halifax is the only Canadian port of call on the weekly service.

South East Asia, including Vietnam, is a growth market for the Port of Halifax. Trade is expanding between Halifax and South East Asian countries faster than trade with traditional transatlantic markets. Currently, Asia is the origin for almost half of the containerized cargo handled over the Port of Halifax. The sourcing of apparel production, footwear and furniture by Canadian and U.S. retail importers has encouraged the expansion of container services to Vietnam.

“K” Line operates eight of its 4015-TEU vessels on behalf of the CKYH Alliance for the AWE-4 service. This will be the first direct service between the port of Cai Mep, which serves Ho Chi Minh City, to Norfolk and New York. Transit time is estimated to be 30 days from Ho Chi Minh City to Halifax and 23 days from Halifax to Ho Chi Minh City

Direct service between Vietnam is achieved with the harbor at Cai Mep being dredged to handle deep-sea container vessels. Cai Mep is the first port completed of six planned container terminals.

The port rotation of the revised AWE-4 service will be: Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Shekou, Hong Kong, Yantian, Norfolk, New York, Halifax, and back to Singapore.

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Contact: Michele Peveril

Manager, Corporate Communications & Public Affairs

Halifax Port Authority

Phone: 426-1060

Email: mpeveril@portofhalifax.ca

 

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