Italia Line has launched a new website, featuring interactive maps with full intermodal information, and sailing schedules updated twice hourly.

"The website, www.italialine.com offers our customers easy access to all the information they need to ship with us," says Maurizio Guidi, Vice President.

"All inland transit times and contact details for our offices are available through the interactive maps, with information on transit times, hazardous goods and containers readily accessible."

"The sailing schedules are linked to our own internal ship scheduling databases so they are always completely up-to-date."

The Point to Point section allows customers to more easily plan their shipments from origin to destination, not just from port to port. By selecting the relevant cities at both ends of the journey, the customers can easily identify the sailings and cut-off times that best suit them.

The website displays the line's redesigned logo for the first time. It is based closely on the former logo, reinforcing CP Ships' determination to build on the strong tradition and reputation of Italia Di Navigazone, the line it acquired last year.

The new website incorporates the latest e-commerce facilities, including on-line rate requests, real time tracking of containers, customs clearance status and on-line Bills of Lading.

"Customers can check the location and customs status of their cargo at any time of the night or day," explains Mr Guidi. "The on-line Bills of Lading allow customers to complete the forms and then print them in their own offices, at their own convenience. They don't even need to have any special forms."

Customers should visit www.italialine.com and register their company details. Once they are registered and a profile is created, all their shipments are automatically listed on their personal home page. "This means customers no longer have to type in BL or container numbers in order to track their cargo through our system," says Mr Guidi. For NVO customers or others representing more than one shipper, the site allows them to view all their shipments on one page.

Italia Line offers services connecting the Mediterranean with North, Central and South America.