SM Line Corp launched the Korea Haiphong Express (KHX) service on June 13. The KHX is the second container shipping service to be launched by the carrier after the VTX, an intra-Asia service, launched on June 8.

According to Busan Port Authority (BPA), both services will connect with the shipping line's transpacific service which commenced on June 16, reported St Petersburg PortNews.

A launching ceremony for the vessel SM Tokyo - deployed on the KHX service - was held at Busan port, where the ship is homeported.

BPA president Woo Ye-jong was quoted: "I would like to congratulate SM Line on launching vessels at Busan port. I'd like to take this opportunity to strengthen our T/S logistics network in order to achieve this year's goal to handle 20 million TEU."

Said SM Line CEO Woo Oh-hyeon: "I would like to thank BPA and related organisations for their support to launch of our first vessel. Currently, we offer transpacific and intra-Asian service. However, our goal is to become a major global liner in five years."

SM Line Corp, the second Korean flag ocean-going shipping company, plans to focus on stabilising its service this year and expand its routes to the east coast of America and South America in 2018.