A new multi-carrier transpacific loop is to be created following amendments to the CSCL-UASC "AAS-2 / AWS-1" loop within the frame of a new arrangement involving five shipping lines with two further carriers to take slots.

The new version of the service will link Shanghai, Ningbo and Busan to Los Angeles and Oakland.

It will turn in six weeks and deploy six ships of 8,500-9,000 TEU, of which three will be provided by UASC, one by Yang Ming, one by CMA CGM and one either by CSCL or PIL, reported Alphaliner.

Details of the service revision are as follows: CMA CGM will join as a party in the new "Ocean Three" arrangements, branding the service "Yang Tze," superseding current slots on MSC's 'Jaguar' loop.

Yang Ming, currently a slot taker, will become a ship provider (marketing the service as "AS2").

PIL will join either as ship provider or slot taker within an agreement with CSCL.

Evergreen will retain its slot allocation within the frame of its existing transpacific agreements with CSCL, rebranding the service "AAC 3."

Hamburg Sud will take slots within a broad agreement with UASC covering the east-west and Latin American trades.