The intra-Asia arm of APM-Maersk, MCC Transport, and NYK are to offer two new independently operated loops, after ending their joint service linking Japan, China and Thailand (IA-2/Perseus) operated by four 4,200 to 5,000-TEU ships.

MCC Transport will organise an alternative loop, branded New IA-2, to serve Bangkok and Laem Chabang, using Bangkokmax units.

The port rotation is Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Kobe, Hong Kong, Shenzhen-Yantian, Hong Kong, Laem Chabang, Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Hong Kong, Guangzhou-Nansha and back to Tokyo.

The service is to be operated by four 1,714 -TEU ships shifted from the Korea-China-Philippines service (PHI 1). It will turn in four weeks.

Of note, the Bangkok calls will be handled at the Sahathai terminal, a private facility on the Chao Phraya River downstream of the more frequented Port Authority of Thailand terminals (PAT), reported Alphaliner.

The first New IA-2 sailing is scheduled to depart from Tokyo on April 10.

On its side, NYK will launch on March 28 from Laem Chabang its own alternative (Phoenix 2) that will use three sister vessels of 2,664 TEU.

The loop will call at Tokyo, Yokohama, Shimizu, Nagoya, Kobe, Laem Chabang, Cai Mep, Tokyo.

The three 2,664-TEU ships to be used became redundant after the restructuring of NYK's Asia-West Africa 'SWAX' service, replaced last month by a new joint operation with Gold Star Line and Hapag-Lloyd and now upgraded to larger tonnage of 3,500 TEU (WAF/FAX/WSX).

Like the Perseus, the Phoenix 2 will complement the current Phoenix loop, to be restyled into the Phoenix 1, with a slightly amended rotation covering Kobe, Osaka, Tokyo, Yokohama, Laem Chabang, Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Ho Chi Minh City, Osaka and back to Kobe.

It will continue to turn in three weeks, with three 1,100-TEU ships to be replaced by three 1,400-TEU, starting with the sailing of the 1,440-TEU Cape Ferrol from Bangkok on March 29.