Swire Projects is launching a semi-liner service for project cargo between East Asia and the west coast of North America.
The dedicated transpacific service was offered previously on an ad-hoc basis, but semi-regular sailings are being introduced to meet rising demand for reliable breakbulk and project cargo transport without transiting the congested Panama Canal, the company said.
Rufus Frere-Smith, regional head of the Americas at Swire Projects, which is part of the Swire Group, said it already has infrastructure and relationships in the region to handle the more frequent service.
“We feel that there is room in the market for a quality-oriented project carrier that can provide regular sailings to the market,” he said.
“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.”
Frere-Smith will lead the service from Swire Projects’ Vancouver office, supported by colleagues from offices in Shanghai, Singapore, Houston and Hamburg.
The semi-liner service will use Swire Projects’ H-Class 28,500-dwt multipurpose vessels, along with I-Type, 19,000-dwt MPPs.
Both ship types are open-hatch tweendeckers with a lifting capacity of between 160 and 480 tonnes, capable of carrying project cargo, breakbulk, dangerous goods, steel, forest products and dry bulk.
“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,” general manager Namir Khanbabi said.
“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.”
Since 2020, Swire Projects has been cooperating with Swire Bulk, the dry-cargo arm of the Swire Group, to use dry cargo vessels’ backhaul capacity in carrying renewable cargoes including turbine blades and towers.
The China Navigation Co, parent of the Swire Group, celebrated its 150th anniversary in January.
China Navigation is controlled by the Swire family, who originate from the UK but have historically focused their business dealings on China.
