Grand Alliance members Hapag-Lloyd (HL), Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK), and Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL), are pleased to announce that there will be a direct Vietnam call at Cai Mep (Vung Tau) deepwater port on Loop D (LPD) of the Asia–Europe service from March 30, 2011.

The direct Vietnam coverage on LPD will provide a competitive 21-day transit time from Cai Mep (Vung Tau) to Southampton, and will offer an additional link to further improve the Grand Alliance service network.

The port rotation of LPD will be enhanced as follows: Pusan – Qingdao – Shanghai (Yangshan) – Ningbo – Shekou – Yantian – Cai Mep (Vung Tau) – Singapore – Suez Canal – Southampton – Le Havre – Hamburg – Rotterdam – Suez Canal – Singapore – Shanghai (Yangshan) – Pusan.

This enhancement will offer a competitive, reliable, and efficient service to our valued customers.

Formed in 1998, the Grand Alliance is one of the leading consortia in global container shipping. Its members are Hapag-Lloyd (Germany), NYK (Japan), and OOCL (Hong Kong).

Source: NYK