On 27 February 2004, YICT welcomed CSCL's container vessel "CSCL Felixstowe", marking the commencement of its second Asia Europe Express (AEX2). The new express service, operated by CSCL, covers the trip from Yantian to Rotterdam in only 20 days.
This new service calls at Yantian every Friday, with a rotation of Dalian, Tianjin, Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian, Hong Kong, Chiwan, Port Klang, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg and Felixstowe. CSCL has deployed nine 4,250-TEU-plus vessels on this AEX2 service, with Dalian serving as its starting port.
In comparison, the shipping line has deployed eight 5,668 TEU vessels on the first Asia Europe Express (AEX1), which starts in Shanghai. The two services cover all of China's major container ports from north to south.
On 24 February CSCL replaced its original American services (AAT and AAC), with a new America service, ANW. The new service calls at Yantian every Tuesday with a rotation of Hong Kong, Yantian, Shanghai, Ningbo, Busan, Oakland, Vancouver, Seattle, Los Angeles and Chicago.
In addition to the abovementioned new services, some shipping lines have modified their existing services at Yantian.
· On 1 February, Grand Alliance launched a new Europe service, EU3, at Yantian. The new service calls at Yantian every Friday and has a rotation of Singapore, Hong Kong, Shekou, Yantian, Hong Kong, Singapore, Suez Canal, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Southampton and Port Said.
· On 26 February, Heung-A Shipping updated its Asia service. Replacing the original service, HPS2, a new Asia service, SCS, calls at Yantian every Thursday with a rotation of Yantian, Xiamen, Busan, Imari, Busan, Kwangyang, Shantou, and Yantian.
At the end of February, there were 52 line-haul services calling at Yantian.