Swire Projects, the projects and heavy lift shipping division of Swire Shipping has announced the official debut of a specialized semi-liner service linking East Asia with the West Coast of North America. With a focus on improved cargo connectivity and meeting the rising need for dependable breakbulk and project cargo transportation, this service offers a direct gateway to the continent’s interior, bypassing the Panama Canal route.

Swire Projects’ semi-liner service connects the base ports of Qingdao and Taicang in China and ports en route, with Everett, Washington, and Vancouver, British Columbia. The service will also offer inducement calls at various ports in Southeast Asia, the USWC and Mexico, ensuring comprehensive coverage for its customers.

Rufus Frere-Smith, Regional Head of Americas at Swire Projects, emphasised the significance of the company’s established presence on the West Coast built up over decades. “We have existing infrastructure in the region and strong local relationships with key terminals and service providers”, stated Rufus. “We feel that there is room in the market for a quality-oriented, project carrier that can provide regular sailings to the market. Project cargo into the West Coast is frequently carried by conventional bulk carrier operators because there is a lack of other regular options, but Swire Projects can provide a different level of service with its in-house engineering, local port captains, knowledgeable operations staff and superior cargo care.”

The transpacific semi-liner service will utilise Swire Projects’ H Class 28,500 deadweight MPP vessels, supplemented by its I Type, 19,000 dwt MPPs. Both ship types are open-hatched, tween-deckers with a lifting capacity of between 160 – 480 MT. The company banks on the versatility of these vessels to accommodate a wide range of cargoes, including project cargo, breakbulk, IMDG, steel, forest products and dry bulk.

The service is supported by a dedicated transport engineering team with many years of experience working with complex and delicate cargoes.

Read also: Swire Projects’s H-Class MPP Pacific Hero starts service

“This semi-liner service will provide our customers with a more flexible and efficient transportation option between East Asia and the West Coast of North America,” said Namir Khanbabi, General Manager of Swire Projects. “We are confident that our versatile H Class vessels, combined with our extensive knowledge of the regions and our experienced team, will allow us to provide a high-quality service to our customers.”

The service will be led by Rufus Frere-Smith from Swire Projects’ Vancouver office with support from offices in Shanghai, Singapore, Houston and Hamburg. This strategic alignment allows for seamless coordination and efficient operations across multiple regions.

With the launch of this transpacific semi-liner service, Swire Projects reaffirms its dedication to meeting the evolving needs of the global trade community. By providing reliable, efficient, and quality-driven transportation solutions, Swire Projects aims to foster increased trade and drive economic growth between Asia and the West Coast of North America.