THE G6 Alliance, made up of APL, Hyundai, MOL, Hapag-Lloyd, NYK and OOCL, has started a Far East weekly service to Sweden\'s largest port of Gothenburg from the Far East, port authorities announced.

 

"We have worked for several years to attract more direct calls for Swedish industry to key markets in the Far East. This news is extremely welcome and very positive," said the Port of Gothenburg\'s sales chief Claes Sundmark.

 

The first to arrive was the 8,110-TEU APL Finland. "APM Terminals in Gothenburg is the only container terminal in Sweden that can handle vessels of this size," said Port of Gothenburg CEO Magnus Karestedt.

 

APM Terminals officially took control of Sweden\'s largest port in January, noted the UK\'s Port Technology International.

 

"Up to now, Sweden has had one direct service to the Far East - Maersk Line, which calls the Port of Gothenburg once a week with its very largest container vessels. From next week, there will two competing alternatives. The Port of Gothenburg now has seven direct deep sea services," Mr Karestedt said.

 

The new Far East service rotates through Shanghai,Ningbo,Shenzhen-Shekou,Singapore, Tangier,Rotterdam,Bremerhaven, Gothenburg,Rotterdam,Jeddah,Singapore, Shenzhen-Shekou, Hong Kong and back toShanghai.