Tailwind, the Lidl Group’s liner shipping company, is further expanding its network in the Far East. In future, the “Tiger Express Service” (TEX) will call at more ports than before.
This will connect four Asian countries via the Tailwind service.
From June 17, the Tiger Express will be expanded to include one call in Vietnam and two in Malaysia. With the expansion of the route, Tailwind promises customers improved planning security for their transportation routes. The TEX will leave the port of Chattogram in Bangladesh every two weeks as usual, but will now first call at Port Klang in Malaysia. From there, it will continue on to Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam before returning to Chattogram via Colombo in Sri Lanka after another call at Port Klang. In addition to the 1,700 TEU container ship “Nordtiger”, Tailwind will also deploy the 1,900 TEU “ASL Peony” on the Tiger Express route in future.
“Reliable transport solution”
“With this intra-Asia service, we are creating a reliable transport solution, for example for raw materials and primary materials for the textile industry, but also for other sectors. In doing so, we are helping to further strengthen international supply chains,” says Nico Peters, VP Commercial Management at Tailwind Shipping Lines. “As usual, we offer maximum reliability and high flexibility on all services.” This expansion will enable Tailwind customers to make connections between key locations in Southeast Asia and Europe, the shipping company announced.
Port Klang is the central hub between Asia and Europe for Tailwind. In Malaysia’s largest port, a transshipment of containers to the west is coordinated with the shipping company’s Panda Express Service (PAX). By including Port Klang in its schedule as the last port of call for PAX in Asia, the shipping company plans to make the supply chains between Asia and Europe more resilient, especially for time-sensitive goods. This will also benefit the parent company Lidl, which will be able to make its supply chains for textile goods “even more efficient” in future, it says. As a stable logistics hub with comprehensive infrastructure, Port Klang offers reliable and punctual handling and is therefore the “ideal partner” for Tailwind. The port replaces PAX’s previous transshipment option from Colombo/Sri Lanka. All previous ports on the route of the Panda service will remain on schedule.
PAX route from June 17, 2025
Qingdao – Ningbo – Dachan Bay – Port Klang – Barcelona – Koper and back
TEX route from June 17, 2025
Chattogram – Port Klang – Ho Chi Minh – Port Klang – Colombo – Chattogram
Until now, the young Hamburg-based container shipping company Tailwind Shipping Lines has relied exclusively on charter ships and freighters bought on the second-hand market. But that could soon change. In view of the challenges ahead, the company will definitely have to tackle the issue of “own newbuildings”, says Christian Stangl, CEO of the subsidiary of discounter group Lidl.
