US Lines Ltd

[Stephen Chester]

US Lines are intending to start n new service connecting the Port of Los Angeles with Auckland,Tauranga,Sydney,Melbourne and Brisbane. The service will start fortnightly and then go to fixed day weekly. They have chartered two 1100-TEU vessels.
Does anyone know what these vessels are?

[David Duggan]

Stevie,
I reckon the bigger question must have to be...
Who are 'United States Lines'??
THE last company of this name died in the a..e  in 1986.
Where did you get this info?
Would really like to to know.
Regards
David D.

[Kelvin Davies]

David,
It seems they are still going.
Have a look here: http://www.shipusl.com/aboutusl.html

Kelvin

[Stephen Chester]

Hi David
I read it in a press release in the NZ Shipping Gazette, and also on their website. They are advertising vessels in their Transpacific schedule called Kiwi 1 and Kookaburra 1, that may be transfered to the Australasian schedule. I haven't heard of these vessels before either. Maybe some US members can help us with this?

Stephen

[Mike Cornwall]

Hi Steve,

I read your post b4 I went to work today.

I asked my boss about it and he told me that yes the POA had had a visit from 3 people behind this venture who, in his words, "were well known NZ shipping identities".
At this stage though they were still deciding if Auckland or Tauranga would be their NZ port of call.
So on that basis it is a Kiwi venture and not a US one.

If you think of it however, they will certainly need more than 2 ships, they need at least 4 to maintain a weekly schedule and probably 5.
And 1100 TEU seems a bit small.
Unless of course they plan to enter an existing service.

I'll keep my ear to the ground.

Rgds/Mike

[Ian G Hardie]

Hi
 Just found this on the Harper Petersen shipbrokers site reporting the charter of these two vessel's to US Lines at a rate of 12,750 a day

Geared
N/B Surinam River '06 US Lines
13,760 dwt 1118 teu (700 at 14ts)
220 reefers / 19,5kn on 37,0ts
12 mos feast trade 12,750

Gearless
Frisia Wuemme '06 US Lines
13,760 dwt 1118 teu (700 at 14ts)
220 reefers / 19,5kn on 36,0ts
12 mos feat trade

Regards
dumpieship

[David Duggan]

Thanks for the details guys,I guess time will tell.
I get a bit suss seeing shipping companies slick sites with no shiplist however.
From the little info they have on site it looks like some sort of a slot charter operation, why would you bother with small box boats??
Regards
David D.

[Stephen Chester]

US Lines has chosen the Port of Tauranga as the sole NZ port.
The first vessel to call will be Falcon V603 due on 25th August, followed by Eagle, Kookaburra and Kiwi. The service will call Tauranga on a Friday then to Melbourne on Wednesday. Then it will go to Sydney,Brisbane, Hong Kong and then to Los Angeles.

[David Duggan]

Good info, Stevie.
I will keep a look out fo them on theiw way to Brisso.
A very interesting (adventureous?) route dont you think?
Thanks,
David D.

[Aaron Fox]

http://www.anl.com.au/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1301
http://www.shipusl.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=22

So is US LINES planning  go to Auckland now or not?
Can you Mike Cornwall ask theport of Auckland staff again about US LINE to see if their come hear now

[Passaic]

US Lines was purchased by CMA CGM in December of last year.
http://www.cma-cgm.com/AboutUs/PressRoom/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?Id=5846

[Aaron Fox]

So is Us Lines going because its said in the news from Anl that The West coast of the Usa to/ from Australia/ New Zealand The reconfigured services commences with the 2/2/2008 departure of the Eagle 2 from Melbourne. The new new vessel rotation will be: Melbourne-Sydney-Brisbane- Tauranga/ Auckland- Oakland- Long Beach. So is any Us lines boats are going to Auckland

[Mike Cornwall]

Aaron,

There is no way US lines are comimg to Auckland. The principals, who used to head ANZDL are very pro Tauranga and still are. So you will NOT see their ships in Auckland.
Chill out.

Mike