宏海箱运、金星轮船、高丽海运、德翔海运及森罗商船宣布将联合开通一条全新集装箱航线，连接中国新港、巴基斯坦及中东。
宏海箱运把新航线命名为RPM，港序为：新港→青岛→上海→宁波→蛇口→巴生港→科伦坡→卡拉奇→杰贝阿里→科伦坡→巴生港→新港。
新航线首航定于2017年11月17日，首航船为金星轮船旗下集装箱船。新航线将部置6艘运力介乎5,000-6,500标箱的集装箱船。
宏海箱运执行副总裁Charlie Chu表示：“RPM航线将使公司的泛亚战略更完整，为希望增加亚洲业务的客户提供全面的航运服务。”
RCL launches new service from China to Pakistan and Middle East
16 Oct 2017
RCL,together with its partners Gold Star Line,KMTC,TS Line and SM Line is pleased to announce the launch of its new service serving China to Pakistan and the Middle East.
This will be six vessel deployment in a seven week rotation using vessels of 5,000 to 6,500 TEU in a rotation of Xingang(Fri)–Qingtao(Sun)–Shanghai(Tuesday)–Ningbo(Wednesday)–Shekou(Sunday)–Port Klang(Friday)–Colombo(Wednesday)–Karachi(Monday)–Jebel Ali(Thursday)–Colombo(Thursday)–Port Klang(Tuesday)–Singapore(Wednesday)–Xingang.
RCL will assign the name“RPM”or RCL Pakistan Middle East service.The maiden voyage will commence with Gold Star's vessel departing Xingang on the 17 November 17.This will be followed by vessels from KMTC,SM Line,TS Line,Gold Star Line and RCL in that order with vessels'names to be advised later.
Mr Charlie Chu,EVP Business“This service achieves many objectives for RCL including:
1.Dedicated service to connect China,SE Asia to Pakistan that also provides multiple dipping;
2.A 3rd sailing to the Middle East,complementing the RIM(JV with Emirates)and RME(slots on HMM's KME)which was just recently increased in slots;
3.RCL will also offer the industry's first direct call from Xingang to Pakistan and Middle East in the market;
4.Ability to carry COC and SOC cargo between Sri Lanka,Pakistan and the Middle East,which is a high growth area.
The RPM will allow more completeness to RCL's pan-asia strategy in providing a comprehensive suite of shipping services to our customers who seek a strong Asia presence”.
