Maersk and MSC to cut number of direct port calls

MAERSK Line and Mediterranean Shipping Co are looking to reduce the number of direct port calls in their 2M network between Asia and north Europe to maintain competitive transit times.

News ID: 65473

Date: 31 May 2016 - 10:54

According to MANA,This will be done via the removal of overlapping port pairs in the network which will raise schedule reliability from slower network speeds as well as create the benefit mentioned above.
“We are utilising our scale to deliver a better product. With the largest network and the deployment of an increasingly uniform fleet of ultra large container vessels, we maintain our extensive direct coverage while focusing each service towards best in class transit times to specific markets on the trade,“ said Maersk Line Chief Commercial Officer Vincent Clerc.
Meanwhile, the Lion service will see a one-ship reduction to a 16-vessel total (each 13,000 teu), the Swan service will see a one-vessel reduction to make 11 ships total (16,000-19,000 teu each), while the Shogun service will see no change to its vessel count of 11 (13,000-19,000 teu range).
MSC's Antwerp hub will also be added to four of the five loops namely Albatros, Shogun, Lion and Swan.
“We’re committed to developing the best product in the market, both in terms of reliability, port coverage and transit time performance,” said MSC senior vice president Caroline Becquart.
“The market has undergone considerable change recently, meaning that now more than ever, customers are seeking a stable and reliable partner. We are confident that MSC is best placed to provide this”.
Maersk Line and MSC expect the network changes to be fully implemented in the third quarter of the year