Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, and southern China have been connected since early January by the new TVS service, introduced by the shipping lines Wan Hai and Interasia Lines (IAL).
The initiative is a response to a route reorganization that removed Taiwan from the previous NS5 scheme, which covered Japan (Kanto), Taiwan, Vietnam, and Malaysia, according to Alphaliner.
The restructuring allowed the NS5 to be extended to South Korea and Singapore, in addition to strengthening its coverage in southern China.
In parallel, both companies increased the fleet capacity on this circuit, moving from 2,000 TEU vessels to ships of approximately 3,000 TEU.
In the process, calls at Taipei, Taichung, Penang, and Ho Chi Minh City (southbound leg) were eliminated, now absorbed by the new TVS.
In exchange, Busan, Xiamen, Shekou, Chiwan, and Singapore were added, while Kawasaki and Hong Kong were removed from the rotation.
The renewed NS5 also incorporated Chiba, coming from the JTS service operated by Wan Hai, in which IAL participates as a co-loader.
This latter circuit, which links Japan (Kanto), Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia, adjusted its itinerary with an additional call at Taipei (southbound), eliminating stops at Yokkaichi, Keelung, and Hong Kong.
Specifically, the TVS has a three-week rotation with three vessels of 1,800 to 2,000 TEU, serving Taipei, Taichung, Ho Chi Minh City (Cat Lai), North Port Kelang, Penang, North Port Kelang, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, and Taipei. The Wan Hai 291 (2,038 TEU) made the inaugural voyage on January 2 from Taipei.
Meanwhile, the NS5 covers Tokyo, Yokohama, Chiba, Busan, Xiamen, Chiwan, Nansha, North Port Kelang, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Shekou, and Tokyo, operated with four 3,000 TEU vessels.
Finally, the JTS follows the route Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Shimizu, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Hong Kong, Nansha, Singapore, North Port Kelang, Shekou, Taichung, Taipei, and Tokyo, with four 3,000 TEU vessels. The Wan Hai 357 (3,013 TEU) will begin the rotation on January 27 from Tokyo.
