The Massachusetts Port Authority has unveiled a new direct shipping service connecting New England with key Southeast Asian markets, marking a significant expansion of the port's international trade capabilities.
Streamlined Connectivity to Emerging Markets
The newly established AWE-5 route offers direct access from Boston to major Southeast Asian ports including Hong Kong, Singapore, Kaohsiung (Taiwan), and Cai Mep (Vietnam). This eliminates the need for intermediate transshipment points that traditionally added time and cost to regional supply chains.
"This new Southeast Asia service will provide significant growth opportunities for New England businesses looking to engage with emerging markets in the region," said Mike Leone, Port Director for Massport. "Direct access to these important markets has been a long-term goal of our strategic planning."
Industry Consortium Provides Operational Support
The route will be jointly operated by four major shipping companies:
- China COSCO Shipping Corporation
- Yang Ming Marine Transport (Taiwan)
- Hanjin Shipping (South Korea)
- Hyundai Merchant Marine (South Korea)
The consortium will deploy nine post-Panamax vessels with capacities between 5,500 and 6,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), with weekly Friday departures from Boston's Conley Terminal. The port has secured 1,300 TEU slots per vessel rotation.
Building on Proven Success
The new service expands upon the port's established AWE-2 route to North China, which handled 113,364 TEUs between May 2010 and April 2011. With six of the world's top 20 container carriers now serving Conley Terminal, port officials anticipate the AWE-5 route will add over 100,000 TEUs annually to the terminal's throughput.
Economic Benefits for Regional Businesses
The direct service offers several competitive advantages for New England exporters and importers:
- Reduced transit times by eliminating intermediate handling
- Lower overall logistics costs through elimination of overland transfers
- Increased supply chain reliability with fixed weekly schedules
- Enhanced access to fast-growing Southeast Asian consumer markets
The route's establishment responds to longstanding demand from regional manufacturers and agricultural producers seeking more efficient access to Southeast Asia's developing economies. Industry analysts suggest the service will particularly benefit New England's technology, pharmaceutical, and seafood sectors.