M/V YM Ocean, voy.647W, call last week the Israeli port of Ashdod after several years during which no Yang Ming ships called Israeli ports.
The TEU 2200 capacity ship is the first of six container ships to call at Ashdod on regular basis on three monthly calls as from January 2007. The new service is part of the company's new ADX service, serving Hong Kong – Singapore – Ashdod.
Mr. Ira Arnon deputy director general of Conmart, YML's general agents in Israel, said the new service represents a vision that came true – establishing direct shipping service between the Far East and Israel. Arnon added that the company regards the co-operation with the Ashdod port as a long term and strategic.
Mrs. Iris Shtark Ashdod port Chairperson noted that the business co-operation between the port and YML was the result of efforts invested by the port to widen & improve the port's business activities. The new YML service will be substantial to the Israeli foreign trade community as well as to the region.
The new ADX service will deploy 6 container vessels each with average capacity of 2000-2200 TEU. The service will connect Ashdod directly to Hong Kong for Israeli bound cargo.
The new service will also offer export service from Ashdod to the Turkish & Greek ports of Hidrepsh ( 2 days) Istanbul (3 days ) Saloniki ( 5 days ) and Izmir ( 6 days ). From Izmir the vessels will sail directly to Singapore – all in all 20 sailing days from Ashdod to the Far East.
