SINGAPORE-based MCC Transport, a wholly owned subsidiary of the AP Moller Maersk Group, has announced it will launch a new intra-Asia IA-8 service to connect ports in Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, China, Taiwan and Malaysia, starting February 25.

The new IA-8 service runs on a 28-day rotation, calling at Jakarta (JICT), Surabaya, Manila, Nagoya, Shimizu, Tokyo, Yokohoma, Shanghai, Keelung, Kaohsiung, Tanjung Pelepas, Singapore, and then back to Jakarta (JICT).

Fast sailing is claimed to be the highlight of this service, according to the company release, which includes direct service between Jakarta and Japanese, a transit of 10 days from Surabaya to Nagoya, 5-day transit from the Philippines to Japan with weekend cutoff from Manila.
 

As far as the service relating to Japan is concerned, it offers a direct line from Japan to Shanghai, Tanjung Pelepas and Indonesia, including a new calling at Japan's Shimizu, weekend cutoff from Shimizu, Tokyo and Yokohama, as well as connection between Nagoya and Tanjung Pelepas.

For service relating to Malaysia, it gives an extra Shanghai southbound mid-week sailing to complement the existing IA4 weekend service, with direct call at Tanjung Pelepas.

For service relating to Taiwan, it provides a weekend cutoff from Kaohsiung, additional Keelung-Tanjung Pelepas and Kaohsiung-Tanjung Pelepas sailings, as well as a transit of seven days from Taiwan to Indonesia.