COSCON has announced the launch of the IC6 loop,its fifth domestic China service from the Guangzhou South China Oceangate Container Terminal (GOCT) at Nansha on the southern outskirts of the Guangdong capital.

Four 1,300- to 1500-TEU ships are being deployed on the service that calls at GOCT every five days on a port rotation of: Shenzhen-Shekou, Guangzhou-Nansha, Shanghai, Tianjin, Yingkou and Ningbo.

This brings the number of domestic services at GOCT, connecting Nansha with main hubs in east and north China, to seven, a company statement said. With water depth of 15.5 metres, the GOCT facility features a 2,100-metre quay over six berths, serviced by 18 gantry cranes with an outreach of 65 metres. It is jointly invested and operated by Guangzhou Port Group, Cosco Pacific and APM Terminals.