OOCL, TSK Line and COSCON announce new joint Middle East Express Service

Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL), Tokyo Senpaku Kaisha Ltd. (TSK Line) and COSCO Container Lines Co., Ltd. (COSCON) have agreed to operate a new joint service, the MEX (Middle East Express).

The new service, which is expected to start on May 17, 2009 ex Shanghai, will comprise five vessels with a nominal capacity of 7,500 TEU (loadable capacity of 6,500 TEU). OOCL and COSCON will provide two vessels each and TSK Line will provide one vessel.

Port rotation is as follows: Shanghai / Ningbo / Hong Kong / Shekou / Singapore / Jebel Ali / Dammam / Singapore / Hong Kong / Shanghai.

The new service will replace the current Middle East Asia Express Service (MAX) operated by OOCL and TSK Line, which operates five vessels with a nominal capacity of 5,500 TEU (loadable capacity of around 5,000 TEU).

This is a dedicated service offered by OOCL, TSK Line and COSCON on the trade between the Far East and the Middle East.