GREAT WESTERN TO ADD SHANGHAI TO PACIFIC SERVICE

GREAT WESTERN TO ADD SHANGHAI TO PACIFIC SERVICE    Great Western Steamship Co., the Tequesta, Fla.-based transpacific shipping line, said that it is awaiting approval by the Chinese Ministry of Communication to add the port of Shanghai to its weekly “Hong Kong Express Service.”
   The service uses four vessels with an average capacity of 1,300 TEU with a current rotation of Hong Kong, Los Angeles and back to Hong Kong. Subject to approval, the service will have a rotation of Los Angeles, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Los Angeles.
   A spokesperson for Great Western said that vessels have already been calling at Shanghai on a “tramp basis.”
   In a separate development, Great Western said that its transpacific slot charter agreement with CMA CGM comes to an end at the close of this month.