In a move to boost service-level transparency, MOL Liner Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MOL, has announced that it has begun public disclosure of vessel on-time departure performance on the key services calling at China ports.

The Japanese shipping line has established a 100 per cent on-time departure performance goal. It said in a statement that on a quarterly basis, the shipping company will release its on-time departure performance for ships under the company's operation as well as for all vessels in which the carrier takes slots.

"The results will showcase MOL's strength as a transparent carrier that provides high quality service," said the statement.

The scheme will cover services on the east-west, north-south and intra-Asia trades, and includes ports such as Hong Kong, Shenzhen-Yantian, Ningbo and Shenzhen-Shekou.

"We measure vessel departure in China, within 24 hours of scheduled actual time of departure versus proforma. A voyage is regarded as on-time if it departs the last China port of call within 24 hours of proforma. The China market contributes significant volume for most of our global service portfolio and therefore, providing on-time performance is of critical importance for our customers," the company said.

Said commercial chief Richard Hiller: "We believe that this standard is achievable. Our objective is to continue to provide reliable services to customers."