Japanese ocean liner Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK Line) will launch a multipurpose service loop between Asia and the South Pacific islands from January 2014.
The new South Pacific Link (SPL) route will be operated using multipurpose semi-container vessels that will transport a variety of cargo, such as completed cars, and container and conventional cargo.
The first sailing under the SPL will be South Islander V.101 calling Busan, South Korea, on January 12.
Its ports of call are Kaohsiung (Taiwan), Busan, Kobe (Japan), Nagoya (Japan), Yokohama (Japan), Tarawa (Kiribati), Honiara (Solomon Islands), Santo (Vanuatu), Port Vila (Vanuatu), Noumea (New Caledonia), Lautoka (Fiji), Suva (Fiji), Apia (Samoa), Pago Pago (American Samoa), Papeete (French Polynesia), and Nukualofa (Tonga).
The service will make 72-day round voyages at 18-day intervals. The port rotation and the number of loops have not yet been fixed, according to the carrier.
Photo: Friar’s Balsam
