2M carriers Maersk Line and the Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) are offering an Asia to Houston, Mobile and Miami loop from May 2 operated by panamax 4,500-TEU ships.

The new service called the "Lone Star Express" by MSC and the "TP18" by Maersk will rotate through Qingdao, Ningbo, Shanghai, Xiamen, Shenzhen-Yantian, Busan, Cristobal, Houston, Mobile and Miami.

The estimated inbound transit time to Houston is 26 days from Shenzhen-Yantian and 23 days from Busan.

The 2M alliance expects an increased flow of inbound consumer goods and outbound industrial commodities to warrant the all-water Asia-Gulf of Mexico service.

"The Port of Houston Authority is pleased that the service focuses heavily on Houston," said port commission chairwoman Janiece Longoria.

"The Houston region is a growth market due to increased demand for import consumer goods and the boom in plastic resin exports in the next few years," she said.

Said port director Roger Guenther: "This new service will enhance the weekly services by CMA CGM, Cosco and Hanjin. We will continue to expand our Bayport and upgrade our Barbours Cut container terminals to meet growing demand."

In 2015, Houston handled more than two million TEU. The port also set a record for tonnage in 2015, handling 30.5 million tons of cargo at its facilities.

Source: shippingazette.com