September 20, 2005

MOL Upgrades Asia-South Africa-West Africa Service

TOKYO-Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL, President: Akimitsu Ashida) today announced an upgrade of the Asia-South Africa-West Africa (WA1) liner service, a move aimed at enhancing its north-south containership route. Replacing joint service with P&O Nedlloyd Ltd., the new WA1 loop offers dedicated service with sailings at 10-day intervals, using seven 1,800-TEU class containerships. It also covers Indian Ocean island ports.
The second loop (WA3) continues as a space charter service from Pacific International Line (PIL: headquarters, Singapore).

■ Features of new WA1

* Significantly expanded space to meet steadily growing market needs in West Africa.

* Ensures a stable schedule with the flexibility only dedicated service can offer.

* Improves transit time between South Africa and Europe by linking West Africa and Europe routes with a rearranged schedule for port calls in West Africa.

* Allows direct service between Hong Kong and Indian Ocean islands, and between Indian Ocean islands and South/West Africa. In addition, it shortens transit time between ports in Indian Ocean islands and Europe by shipping through West Africa. With the launch of the WA1 service, MOL is ending its joint IOX shuttle service between Asia and Indian Ocean islands with P&O Nedlloyd. Service to Reunion continues by shipping through Port Louis.

* The new WA1, along with the second loop (WA3) of the Asia-West Africa service, covers major ports in West Africa, and increases calls at Lagos from four to six per month.

■ Outline of new service
<First Loop (WA1)>

Number of ships	Seven 1,800 TEU class containerships (all MOL-operated)
Frequency	10-day intervals
Calling ports	Hong Kong - Singapore - Port Louis - Tamatave* - Durban - Tema - Lagos - Lome - Durban - Port Louis- Colombo* - Singapore - Hong Kong 　　* = to be confirmed
Start of service	First week of December 2005

Number of ships	Six 1,300 TEU class containerships (all PIL-operated)
Frequency	10-day intervals
Calling ports	Singapore - Cape Town - Cotonou - Lagos - Abidjan - Douala - Durban - Singapore
Start of service	First week of December 2005