APL, Maersk and OOCL yesterday announced a new cooperation on three existing Far East to Indian Subcontinent services, starting in February 2014.

In a Slot Sharing Agreement that also includes partners CMA CGM, Emirates Shipping Line, Hamburg Süd and Regional Container Lines, 18 vessels with a total capacity of about 17,500 TEU will be deployed to the three Far East-Indian Subcontinent services.

The enhanced services will enable the carriers to offer three weekly sailings – covering China, Korea, India, Pakistan, Malaysia and Singapore – compared to one weekly sailing currently offered independently by each liner.

“Our multi-carrier cooperation will provide more frequent sailings between Asia’s major trading hubs, and at the same time eliminate unnecessary service duplications,” the partner carriers said in a joint statement. “With improved operational efficiency and a more comprehensive service structure, the enhanced Far East-India Express services suite will offer shippers flexible and competitive options best catered to their needs.”

The new port rotations for the three services are as follows:

CIX (to be operated by APL, Emirates and OOCL)

Nansha – Chiwan – Hong Kong – Singapore – Colombo – Jawaharlal Nehru – Pipavav –Colombo – Port Klang – Singapore – Nansha

CIX3 (to be operated by Hamburg Süd, OOCL and Regional Container Lines)

Shanghai – Ningbo – Xiamen – Hong Kong – Singapore – Colombo – Jawaharlal Nehru – Pipavav – Port Klang – Singapore – Hong Kong – Shanghai

FI3 (to be operated by CMA CGM and Maersk)

Xingang – Dalian – Qingdao – Kwangyang – Busan – Ningbo – Hong Kong – Singapore – Tanjung Pelepas – Colombo – Pipavav – Jawaharlal Nehru – Port Qasim – Singapore – Xingang