HMM Re-enters Atlantic Route after 7 Years, Launches New India-Europe Route
SEOUL : HMM has announced its return to the Atlantic route and the launch of new container services on the India-Europe and Atlantic routes starting from February next year. This marks a significant development for the South Korean shipping giant, which had ceased its Atlantic service in 2018, creating a seven-year gap in its operations on this major ocean route.
The new services include the “TA1” container service, which will connect Europe and the Americas across the Atlantic, and the “INX” container service, linking India and Northern Europe. The TA1 service is set to begin in Southampton, UK, with ten 4,600 TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) container ships deployed. The ports of call for the TA1 route include Southampton (UK), Le Havre (France), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Hamburg (Germany), Antwerp (Belgium), Miami (USA), Cartagena (Colombia), Panama Canal, Rodman (Panama), LA/Long Beach (USA), Oakland (USA), Rodman (Panama), Panama Canal, Caucedo (Dominican Republic), and back to Southampton (UK). The round trip will take 70 days.
The INX service, also starting in February next year, will deploy eleven 6,000 TEU container ships. The ports of call for the INX route are Karachi (Pakistan), Hazira (India), Mundra (India), Nhava Sheva (India), Colombo (Sri Lanka), London Gateway (UK), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Hamburg (Germany), Antwerp (Belgium), and back to Karachi (Pakistan). This route will have a round trip duration of 77 days.
An HMM representative stated, “The new service launches will significantly enhance our network competitiveness,” adding, “We plan to continue expanding into new markets based on our mid- to long-term strategy for 2030.”
The Atlantic route is a major oceanic trade route connecting Europe and the Americas, and its economic importance is highlighted by the types of goods typically transported on this route. The Panama Canal, a crucial waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, plays a significant role in the logistics of the TA1 route, reducing travel time for ships.