OOCL announces new China Australia Express Loop (A3X)

OOCL has announced the launch of its new China Australia Express Loop (A3X), with the maiden sailing scheduled from Qingdao on 27 July 2026. The A3X service is positioned as an enhancement to OOCL’s existing A3 network, aiming to deliver more routing flexibility, transit improvements, and broader market access for customers. With the introduction of A3X, OOCL says it will operate four weekly sailings across the broader A3 network, increasing service frequency and capacity for importers and exporters. The company also frames A3X as strengthening its role in the Northeast Asia–East Coast Australia trade. On the southbound direction, the route is Qingdao–Shanghai–Shekou–Melbourne–Sydney, while the northbound pattern runs Melbourne–Sydney–Qingdao–Shanghai–Shekou.