News Highlights week: 11 - 2023

The service, which connects to both Northern and Southern Vietnam is marketed under the name ‘HSP1’. 
This recently launched loop turns in two weeks with two ships, the 1,060 teu HAIAN LINK and the 1,134 teu TC SYMPHONY. It calls as Haiphong, Ho Chi Minh City, Port Kelang, Ho Chi Minh City, Haiphong. 
Operations started on 9 March with the maiden voyage of the HAIAN LINK from Haiphong. 
Haiphong-headquartered Lotus Link was established last month as a joint venture between the Israeli carrier ZIM and Vietnamese operator Hai An Transport & Stevedoring JSC (HATS). 
The new company plans to operate both domestic and international regional shipping services in Vietnam.
Jin Jiang launches dedicated China – North V’nam loop 
Shanghai Jin Jiang Shipping (JJS) last week improved its direct coverage between China and Northern Vietnam with the launch of a new service marketed as ‘Haiphong Silk Road Express’ or ‘CHH3’.
This new weekly loop turns in two weeks with two vessels, the 1,098 teu MILD JAZZ and the 1,096 teu, newbuild A GORYU, calling at Qingdao, Shanghai, Nansha, Haiphong, Shanghai, Qingdao. 

The MILD JAZZ kicked off the ‘CHH3’ maiden voyage from Qingdao on 1 March. 
The ‘CHH3’ features direct sailings from Haiphong to Shanghai and its therefor offers transit times of less than four days between this port pair. 
Shanghai Jin Jiang Shipping’s new ‘CHH3’ complements the carrier’s two Japan – China – Northern Vietnam services ‘CHH1’ and ‘CHH2’. 
JJS organized these two loops in May 2021 by extending its previous Central/ South China – Northern Vietnam services ‘SHH1 + SHH2’ to Japan.
New capacity record holders delivered: The ‘megamax’ container ships MSC TESSA and MSC IRINA 
The world’s largest ocean carrier, the Geneva-based MSC, has taken delivery last week of the world’s new largest container vessel - twice!
MSC first received the MSC TESSA, a ‘megamax’ type of the latest generation. The giant new ship boasts a nominal box intake of 24,116 teu, which is 112 teu more than the previous ‘Apex’-class record holders from Evergreen Marine.
Just a few days later, MSC then took delivery of the 24,346 teu MSC IRINA, which immediately de-throned her earlier fleet mate to become the new flagship of the global liner fleet. 

The initial record vessel MSC TESSA is the first of eight ‘Hudong 24100’ type sisters that the Swiss-Italian shipping line will receive from the state-owned CSSC Group of China before the end of the year. 
Four of the ships will be built by Jiangnan Changxing Shipyard, which is part of Hudong, whereas the other four will originate from Jiangnan (Group) Shipyard, another CSSC yard. 
Five of the eight ships, including the MSC TESSA, will be owned by MSC. Three others will be funded through BoComm Leasing, a whollyowned subsidiary of China’s Bank of Communications. 
The second record vessel MSC IRINA is the first of six ‘YZJ MGX-24’ type sisters that MSC will receive from the private-sector Yangzijiang Shipbuilding. The sextet from YZJ will comprise MSC-owned units, BoComm-owned units, and ships chartered from Seaspan.