THROUGH the purchase of slots on three of Mariana Express Lines (MELL) container shipping services, Japan's NYK Line has added three links connecting Hong Kong and/or Kaohsiung in Taiwan to General Santos, Davao, Cagayande oro on Mindanao in the southern Philippines, Naha on Japan's Okinawa Island, and to Haiphong in Vietnam.

The new links are as follows: The PH1, which calls at Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Naha, General Santos, Davao, Cagayan de oro, and is offered through slots on the niche carrier's Micronesia service (MXS).

The PH2 links Hong Kong and Cagayan de oro and is offered through slots on MELL's China-Philippines Express 2 (CPX 2) service.

The PH3, which links Kaohsiung and Haiphong, via slots on MELL's Taiwan-Haiphong service (KHX). An Alphaliner report said the PH3 complements the Taiwan-Haiphong string offered with NYK's Japan-Korea-Taiwan-Vietnam 'Volans' service (VNS).