HMM Deploys 21st Temporary Vessel to Support Small and Medium Enterprise Exports

The 5000 TEU container ship 'HMM Prestige' is departing from Busan New Port HPNT, carrying cargo from domestic export companies.

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] HMM announced on the 2nd that it will deploy one temporary vessel bound for the Americas to support the smooth export of domestic companies.

The 5000 TEU-class container ship "HMM Prestige," scheduled to depart from Busan New Port HPNT (HMM Busan New Port Terminal), will load cargo from domestic export companies and depart Busan on the 2nd, arriving at the Port of Los Angeles, USA, on the 13th.

The "Prestige" loaded a total of 4200 TEU of cargo, of which about 60% is from domestic small and medium-sized shippers.

Since August last year, HMM has deployed a total of 21 temporary vessels: 12 times to the US West Coast (LA), 3 times to the US East Coast (Savannah, New York), 3 times to Russia, 2 times to Europe, and once to Vietnam.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, maritime cargo volume, which had contracted in the first half of last year, surged from the second half, leading to a shortage of vessel space on the Americas routes. This situation has continued until recently, causing difficulties for domestic export companies in securing vessel space.

An HMM official stated, "As part of mutual cooperation with domestic shipowners and shippers, we plan to continuously support the smooth export of domestic companies," adding, "As a representative national shipping company, we will take responsibility and make every effort to ensure that export companies' cargo is transported safely and without disruption."

Meanwhile, on the 15th, President Bae Jae-hoon stated at a meeting with business leaders invited to the expanded economic ministers' meeting held at the Blue House, "We will make every effort to deploy additional temporary vessels in the future to ensure the smooth loading of export cargo from small and medium-sized enterprises."