CHINA Container Lines' (CCL) cargo volume is expected to rise 10 per cent to 550,000 TEU by the end of this year, CCL chief executive Xu Cun Yong told the Hong Kong Shipping Gazette in an interview.

But intra-Asia trade outperformed all others, he said. By June, CCL business in south east Asia had surpassed last year's full-year volume, and he expected a 200 per cent increase in volume year on year. The company has opened offices in Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam.

As a non-vessel operator (NVO), the company's volume was 501,698 TEU last year, an increase of 25.5 per cent year on year, Mr Xu said.

Full container loads (FCL), the largest portion of the company's business, totalled 490,000 TEU, while LCL cargo came to 400,000 cubic metres.

Established 15 years ago, CCL already has a large and steady client basis in the mainland market, which helps it gain better rates from carriers, and in turn helps to retain old clients and attract new ones, Mr Xu said.

CCL's 15 years of experience of customer needs enables the company to offer customised solutions as well as improving its information system to enhance operational efficiency to help customers cut costs.

Eighty per cent of CCL's business is international and the company operates a 24,000-square metre stack yard, a same-size warehouse and a fleet of 86 container trucks in Ningbo.

The company started with LCL exports to the US and has now developed a steady schedule with multiple sailings. Its direct shipping network covers Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Oakland, Seattle and Chicago. For Houston, Detroit and Cleveland, the company offers truck de-stuffing and railway consolidation to warehouses in these places where customers can pick up their cargo or have it delivered.

Mr Xu said CCL has long-term partnerships with US railways and truckers and will use them if not otherwise specified by customers. If required, CCL can also help customers look for providers with competitive prices.

CCL also runs Asia-Europe lane business. Though started later than the US business, the European sector has substantially outgrown the US with a larger market, and represents more than 60 per cent of the company's business.