BBC Box unload in Shanghai Oct. 22nd

The BBC confirms the BBC Box, NYKU8210506 unloaded in Shanghai. They don't give the date, but it would have been the 22nd of Oct.

According to the BBC video, the next trip for the container will be clothing for the U.S. market. They say it is scheduled to leave in a couple of weeks.


As mentioned in my blog of Sept. 23rd, the original scheduled ETA in Shanghai was Oct. 20.


M/V Copenhagen Express, Voyage 024263

Southampton 23-24 Sept

Ningbo 15 Oct.

Xiamen 15-16 Oct.

Singapore 16-17 Oct.

Shanghai 20-21 Oct.


There was no mention of the port calls at Xiamen and Ningbo, so I think these were cancelled. Only Singapore was mentioned, and that was the only port call shown on the tracking map.

The NYK master schedule is not showing the Copenhagen Express anywhere. My hunch is it is being phased out; meaning taken out of this trade lane. The NYK Vega, which was a new building (this is the slang for a brand new ship), came into position in the schedule right behind the Copenhagen Express. This is a good indication it will replace the Copenhagen Express.

Update: BBC Box onboard M/V Copenhagen Express

The Copenhagen Express is holding to schedule. Arrival in Shanghai is still showing as Oct. 20.

NYK Schedule
Southampton to Shanghai Schedule Detail Current Date: Oct-05-2008
Note: Schedules are guidelines only.


Line Europe Container Line

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Depart From Date Arrive At Date Carrier
Southampton, GBR Sep-24-08 Shanghai, CHN Oct-20-08 Copenhagen Express 11e37


As of Oct. 4, the BBC tracking site has the ship in the Red Sea just NW of Jiddah (what I knew as Jeddah) Saudi Arabia. I really like their map.

Follow The Container has a really cool overhead picture of the Suez Canal.
This web-site is tracking the container and has lots of great pictures.

I know a lot of school kids are following this container. I think it's a great way to learn geography. Makes me want to go back to school.

Vessel Change - Where is The BBC Box? NYKU

The BBC gives the name of the vessel which will take The Box to China.

M/V Copenhagen Express

They fooled us. I think they gave the original date as 25 Sept., but this vessel will sail 24 Sept. I guess they didn't want hordes of people showing up to see the container loaded.

This is the schedule.

M/V Copenhagen Express, Voyage 024263

Southampton 23-24 Sept

Ningbo 15 Oct.

Xiamen 15-16 Oct.

Singapore 16-17 Oct.

Shanghai 20-21 Oct.

This is a Hapag-Lloyd vessel. I was a little surprised they did not make sure it loaded on an NYK vessel. Hapag-Lloyd and NYK are in a vessel sharing agreement, which is similiar to a "code share" by airlines.


Update 5:30 PMFollow The Container has been updated with pictures and stats with the M/V Copenhagen Express.