CHARLESTON, S.C. — Beginning in mid-April, South Carolina Ports Authority will add a direct inbound service from Vietnam as part of the America/TP11 service operated by ocean carriers Maersk and MSC.

With the addition of the service, the Port of Charleston now offers three weekly direct Vietnam services. In 2015, Charleston moved more than 34,000 inbound 20-foot equivalent units from Vietnam, according to the Ports Authority.

Furniture will play a big part in the Port of Charleston’s expanded Vietnam service.

The strong Southeast furniture market combined with expanding production in Vietnam point to solid growth opportunities, the Ports Authority said. Furniture importing already plays a big role in the additional service, and accounts for about a third of Charleston’s volume in this lane.

“Charleston’s position in the newly-added service from Vietnam will deliver a significant benefit to import customers across the Southeast,” said SCPA President and CEO Jim Newsome. “Furniture is the largest commodity sector imported from Vietnam, and this service enables SCPA to serve growing cargo volumes into the heart of furniture country.”

The upcoming Panama Canal expansion isn’t expected to have an impact since all three weekly services utilize post-Panamax-size ships via the Suez Canal.

Charleston is the second U.S. port of call in the inbound rotation following the Port of New York/New Jersey, offering 28-day transit times from Vung Tau to Charleston for the benefit of time-sensitive import goods.

The Arthur Maersk is the first vessel to sail under the revised rotation, with a scheduled departure from Vung Tau on April 15.