Horizon Lines, a leading US domestic ocean shipping and integrated logistics company, announced recently it will launch the new Five Star Express (FSX) transpacific intermodal container service in December, connecting key inland US cities.
    The maiden FSX service is scheduled to depart Ningbo, China, on December 14, Shanghai on December 15, and arrive in Los Angeles on December 26, said the company's release.
    About 60 per cent of bookings in the first sailing is already subscribed and the company aims at reaching 75 per cent eventually.
    "As other carriers reduce service locations and slow service speeds, US shippers continue to tell us they want fast and reliable service alternatives not only port to port, but inland to final destination," said Horizon vice president Brian Taylor.
    The carrier plans to expand the inland express network to other locations throughout the US next year, which include the 15-day availability in Kansas City from Shanghai and 16-day availability in Dallas, using scheduled intermodal rail service from Los Angeles every week.
    It also plans to offer express inland service to Chicago, Memphis, Atlanta and Charlotte using on-dock rail connections to avoid drayage fees on the west coast.

Source: Shipping Gazette