Wan Hai Lines said its new, independent AA5 service calls Seattle with the first port of call and provides direct connections from Asia to the Pacific Northwest, reducing import transit times and increases loading options. 

On April 5, Nasia, the first vessel of the line's new service, called Terminal 18 in Seattle. 

Increasing demand in the Pacific Northwest

The service was announced in February when Wan Hai Lines revamped its services to provide comprehensive coverage that meets growing customer demand in the Pacific Northwest.

The service calls Kaohsiung-Yantian-Shanghai-Ningbo-Seattle-Oakland-Kaohsiung. 

"The Northwest Seaport Alliance is excited for this new service to begin calling on our gateway. The Seattle Harbor welcomes the opportunity to be part of Wan Hai Line's growth plans that increase cargo volumes through our ports, providing more job opportunities and economic activity for our region," said Ryan Calkins, managing member of The Northwest Seaport Alliance, as he welcomed Wan Hai Line's first direct service to Seattle.

Wan Hai Lines is among several carriers that have introduced new services calling the NWSA gateway in 2021 as a way to help mitigate congestion issues experienced at other ports. 

The NWSA gateway, which includes the marine cargo operations of the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, offers critical advantages to the west coast supply chain.