The Port of Felixstowe has welcomed the first call at the UK's largest container port of Evergreen's CES (China Europe Shuttle) service. The 8,452 TEU Ever Laden launched the service from the Port of Britain in late May.
The CES Service links North Europe to Asia with calls in Taiwan as well as China. The service has recently been calling at ports in continental Europe only.
Commenting on the decision by Evergreen to introduce a UK call at Felixstowe, Clemence Cheng, Hutchison Ports (UK) Limited Chief Executive Officer, said:
"The decision by Evergreen to call at the Port of Felixstowe underlines our position as the port of choice for container lines in the UK. The unique location of Felixstowe closest to the main shipping lanes and the ports of Northern Europe, combined with a road, rail and feeder network that is not replicated anywhere else, continue to set us apart from the alternatives.
"The UK container market is highly competitive and our customers all have a choice when it comes to selecting a port of call. We are committed to continually improving the levels of service we provide to them and ensuring that Felixstowe represents the optimum solution for their supply chain needs."

Scott Chang, President of Evergreen Marine Corp. said: 
"We are pleased to be using the excellent facilities at the Port of Felixstowe for the UK call of our CES service. We are eagerly anticipating this new phase of our service from Asia within the CKYHE alliance.  The improved CES via Felixstowe will provide a direct service from Taipei, Ningbo, Shanghai and Colombo and bring additional benefits to our customers in the UK." 
The first call of the CES service at Felixstowe is part of a realignment of the service which will also see new calls westbound at Colombo in Sri Lanka.
The move further extends Felixstowe's advantage as the clear market leader in what is the UK's largest trade lane. Felixstowe already has 3 calls per week by Evergreen and its new alliance partners Cosco, K-Line, Yang Ming and Hanjin. It is also the only UK port of call for China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL) and its partners UASC, as well as the world's largest two container lines, Maersk and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), for services to Asia. Subject to regulatory approval of the P3 Alliance, CMA CGM will join Maersk and MSC as a vessel provider at Felixstowe.