APL has launched its Eagle Express X service, a new weekly connection between China and the US West Coast.

According to APL, the new EXX service offers an 11-day transit from Shanghai to Los Angeles, with next day availability at an off-dock facility.

 “APL’s new EXX service underlines our commitment to keep enabling our shippers’ desired speed to market and supply chain predictability for the critical competitive advantage,” said Jesper Stenbak, senior vice president of the trans-Pacific trade at APL. “Designed to live up to APL’s hallmark of service excellence, the EXX service also promises certainty of equipment and space at direct Asian load ports, as well as guaranteed chassis in Los Angeles.”

The service will have a port rotation of Ningbo – Shanghai – Los Angeles – Dutch Harbour – Yokohama – Busan. The first sailing will depart from Shanghai in July 2018.

The dedicated off-dock facility will house local imports that arrive on the EXX service in Los Angeles, offering flexibility to customers for convenient 24/7 cargo pick-up even during peak hours.

“An exclusive APL service outside of the Ocean Alliance, the EXX service is a valuable addition to APL’s stronghold trans-Pacific trade where we grew well above the market at 21% in 2017,”  said Stenbak. “Our customers will not only find themselves yet another choice option to the US West Coast but also one that hits the market sooner. Meanwhile, westbound shippers from Dutch Harbour where only few exclusive services call, can count on the EXX service for fast market access to Yokohama and Busan.”

With the EXX service, APL will offer a total of 24 services on the trans-Pacific trade lane, consisting of 18 that are part of the Ocean Alliance and six that are outside of the alliance.