German shipping group Hamburg Süd has received approval from the Chinese ministry of communications to expand its network of propriety offices in key locations across the country to seven. The move is expected to enhance the group's presence in China.

Hamburg Süd (China) Ltd has now expanded to include new branches at the key transport hubs of Guangzhou, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shanzhen, Tianjin and Xiamen. The group will deploy a total of 100 employees to these locations, offering customers 'the full range of Hamburg Süd services, including fast and competent on-the-spot decisions'.

The network expansion is the latest move in a strategy that has seen the German company intensify its presence in China over the past 18 months. The group's liner service now offers multiple sailings every week in trades between China and South America, South Africa, Australia and India.

Additionally, Hamburg Süd has launched two new weekly fixed-day services which will provide 'fast and reliable direct connections' between China and India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.