Cleveland, OH — March 6th, 2026 — UWL and ESL announced that the Sun Chief Express service, connecting Vietnam and South China to Seattle, will conclude operations. The service’s final sailing will be the ESL Mombasa, departing Ho Chi Minh on March 20, 2026.
Launched in 2022 at the height of pandemic-driven demand, Sun Chief Express was designed to provide a faster, more reliable maritime link between Southeast Asia and the Pacific Northwest. Over four years of operation, the service established itself as one of the quickest, most reliable ocean freight connections from the region to North America - supporting customers during a period of unprecedented supply chain disruption and volatility.
Earlier this year, UWL and ESL announced plans to transition the service to a weekly frequency in response to strong customer demand and continued momentum for the product’s premium value. As market conditions shifted in recent months, both companies reassessed the service—including the operating model required to deliver a premium product—and jointly determined that continuing Sun Chief Express is no longer commercially viable under current and anticipated conditions.
Throughout its tenure, Sun Chief Express was supported by a loyal customer base that valued speed, reliability, and direct Pacific Northwest access. The service reflected UWL’s broader premium NVOCC philosophy: investing in differentiated, performance-driven solutions when market conditions support them and when customers demand elevated service levels.
“Sun Chief Express was envisioned to solve a critical need during a historic moment for global supply chains,” said Duncan Wright, UWL President. “We remain proud of the performance, reliability, and speed the service delivered for our customers. While market conditions have evolved, the Sun Chief stands as a reflection of UWL’s willingness to invest in premium solutions when customers need them most. This creativity is in our DNA and remains unchanged.”
Sun Chief Express leaves a legacy of innovation, responsiveness, and partnership during one of the most challenging periods in modern supply chain history. UWL will continue supporting customers through its full portfolio of global forwarding, NVOCC, and logistics solutions tailored to evolving market needs.
For more information, please contact:
Lulu Ross
Marketing Specialist
UWL, Inc.
lulu.ross@shipuwl.com