SWIRE PROJECTS LAUNCHES A TRANSPACIFIC SEMI LINER SERVICE, ENHANCING CARGO CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN ASIA AND WEST COAST NORTH AMERICA
27 November 2023, Singapore – Swire Projects, the projects and heavy lift shipping arm of Swire Shipping, has officially launched a dedicated semi liner service connecting East Asia with the West Coast of North America. Previously offered on an ad hoc basis, the service will provide enhanced cargo connectivity and support the growing demand for reliable breakbulk and project cargo transportation into the West Coast and a gateway to the interior of the Continent avoiding the need to route cargo via the Panama Canal.
Swire Projects’ semi liner service connects the base ports of Qingdao and Taicang in China and ports en route, with Everett, Washington, and Vancouver, British Columbia. The service will also offer inducement calls at various ports in Southeast Asia, the USWC and Mexico, ensuring comprehensive coverage for its customers. The strategic selection of these ports will enable Swire Projects to efficiently connect key trading hubs and offer convenient access to clients.
Rufus Frere-Smith, Regional Head of Americas at Swire Projects, emphasised the significance of the company’s established presence in the in the West Coast built up over decades. “We have existing infrastructure in the region and strong local relationships with key terminals and service providers”, stated Rufus. ” We feel that there is room in the market for a quality oriented, project carrier that can provide regular sailings to the market. Project cargo into the West Coast is frequently carried by conventional bulk carrier operators because there is a lack of other regular options, but Swire Projects can provide a different level of service with its in-house engineering, local port captains, knowledgeable operations staff and superior cargo care.”
The transpacific semi liner service will utilise Swire Projects’ H Class 28,500 deadweight MPP vessels, supplemented by our I Type, 19,000 dwt MPP’s. Both ship types are open hatched, tweendeckers with a lifting capacity of between 160 – 480 MT; the versatility of these vessels enables Swire Projects to accommodate a wide range of cargoes, including project cargo, breakbulk, IMDG, steel, forest products and dry bulk.
To ensure the safe and efficient transportation of more complex cargoes, the service is supported by a dedicated transport engineering team with many years of experience working with complex and delicate cargoes. Swire Projects’ commitment to quality management systems and cargo care ensures that the customer can be assured that cargo is handled with the utmost precision and care throughout the entire transportation process. In March 2023, Swire Projects was also awarded the ABS Quality Evaluations certifications for ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management, ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management and ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health Safety Management. These certifications demonstrate Swire Projects’ focus on providing safe and efficient transportation solutions.
“This semi-liner service will provide our customers with a more flexible and efficient transportation option between East Asia and the West Coast of North America,” said Namir Khanbabi, General Manager of Swire Projects. “We are confident that our versatile H Class vessels, combined with our extensive knowledge of the regions and our experienced team, will allow us to provide a high-quality service to our customers.”
The service will be led by Rufus Frere-Smith from Swire Projects’ Vancouver office with support from offices in Shanghai, Singapore, Houston and Hamburg. This strategic alignment allows for seamless coordination and efficient operations across multiple regions.
With the launch of this transpacific semi liner service, Swire Projects reaffirms its dedication to meeting the evolving needs of the global trade community. By providing reliable, efficient, and quality-driven transportation solutions, Swire Projects aims to foster increased trade and drive economic growth between Asia and the West Coast of North America.
About Swire Projects
Swire Projects was established in October 2020 to provide specialist shipping services to the energy, renewable and infrastructure sector. By bringing together trade routes, a diversified fleet and technical expertise across the Swire Group’s marine activities, Swire Projects is set to lead a smart network of resources, enabling highly efficient, trusted and flexible shipping solutions to service clients in the project logistics sector, particularly project forwarders, EPCs, Heavy Civil and offshore energy construction players.
For more information, please visit www.swireprojects.com.
About Swire Shipping
Swire Shipping is the wholly owned, deep-sea ship owning and operating arm of the multinational Swire group. The oldest operating entity of the group, it is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.
Today, Swire Shipping is a leading provider of specialist customer solutions for various types of cargoes and aims to offer a full suite of land and ocean solutions. Dedicated to facilitating and growing trade in regions where it operates, Swire Shipping provides several high frequency liner services in the Asia-Pacific; landside logistics services; and specialist shipping services for project cargoes under the brand name, Swire Projects. It connects 400 ports globally and maintains a worldwide agency network in addition to its own representative offices across the Asia-Pacific, Pacific Islands, North America and Europe, providing its customers with dedicated service and expert market knowledge.
For more information, please visit www.swireshipping.com.
Media Contacts:
Kevin LIM
Head of Corporate Communications, Swire Shipping
Tel: +65 9296 7318
Email: kevinsp.lim@swireshipping.com
Stella CHOO
Corporate Communications Manager
Swire Shipping
Tel: +65 9126 2595
Email: stella.choo@swireshipping.com
Dmitry PISMENNY
Marketing & Tenders Manager, Swire Projects
Tel: +65 9435 6650
Email: dmitry.pismenny@swireprojects.com
