HONG KONG's Orient Overseas Container Line has announced changes to its Scan Baltic Express (SBX) network, which will increase the scope and frequency of coverage to/from Russia, Finland, Sweden and the Baltic Sea.

"The network improvements are focused on satisfying customer requirements by committing assets to strategic markets whilst concurrently improving schedule reliability," said the release about services in an area where costs are to rise significantly when the low-sulphur fuel mandate applies on January 1.

The new network will offer class leading frequency with connection to OOCL trunk services at Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam and Antwerp. In addition to which, our short-sea capability is also strengthened.

Service highlights include 15 sailings per week with seven sailings to/from St Petersburg (calling at First Container Terminal (FCT), Petroles Port (PLP), Container Terminal St Petersburg (CTSP) and Fish Port); four sailings to/from Helsinki, three sailings to/from Kotka, three sailings to/from Gdynia; two sailings to/from Klaipeda (calling Klaipeda Konteineriu Terminal (KKT) and Klaipeda Smelte Terminal) and two sailing to/from Riga (Calling Riga Universal Terminal (RUT) and Riga Port Terminal).

In addition to the improved coverage of the above ports we will continue to offer weekly connections to/from Gavle, Rauma, Szczecin, Tallin and Ust Luga.