Singapore's APL, the container arm of Neptune Orient Lines, has announced the launch of the Suez Express (SZX) service from Malaysia, offering record times between Westports, Port Klang and New York.

The SZX service supplements APL's range of existing all-water services in through the Suez and Panama canals. SZX, with eight vessels of at least 4,000 TEU, will call at Westports weekly.

Aziz Toha, managing director of APL Malaysia, said: "The launch of the SZX in Malaysia further consolidates APL's position as one of the most trusted names in global and Asia Pacific transportation by offering customers an entirely new solution that complements our existing Suez and Transpacific services."

The SZX port rotation is: Singapore, Colombo, New York, Charleston, Savannah, Norfolk, Jebel Ali and Port Klang.

In addition to US-bound cargo that originates from the service's direct ports of call, the SZX will attract cargo from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. The service will also be competitive for markets such as China and Western Australia.

APL has four main offices and 88 staff across Malaysia in Subang, Penang, Port Klang and Johor Baharu.