Seago Line introduces new vessel to Liverpool service

Maersk subsidiary Seago Line has introduced a new vessel to its recently created feeder service calling at Liverpool. The Independent Accord has already started operating on the new cargo route between Algeciras-Liverpool-Dublin that began in April, Peel Ports said in its press release.

The service was established to provide direct cargo connections to and from the north west of England to Ireland and onwards to the Mediterranean, providing trade links to North and West Africa. It offers a six-day transit time between Algeciras and Liverpool, with vessels arriving and departing on Wednesdays.

The return to Liverpool in April was the first time that the Maersk Group Company had used the port for UK cargoes in over 10 years and is its first ever direct connection to the Irish capital. The Independent Accord replaces the 1,100 TEU Antwerp, which has operated the route since April.

Patrick Walters, Commercial Director at Peel Ports, said: “We were very pleased that Seago Line and Maersk returned to Liverpool, signalling their confidence in the port, especially in the run up to the opening of Liverpool2. We’re even more delighted that this has proven to be a solid business move so quickly after the service started.

“It is another sign that industry-leading carriers are increasingly convinced of the arguments around the benefits of shipping closer to market via the North West. We look forward to helping Seago Line and its customers to continue reducing costs, carbon emissions and congestion in their supply chains.”

“We are very happy to be introducing a new vessel to the route so soon after we created this new connection to Liverpool, expanding our product portfolio for markets in the UK and Ireland”, said Seago Line General Manager for UK & Ireland, Robert Clegg. “We are well placed to serve customers looking for new opportunities through a Mediterranean connection, thanks to our competitive transit times and convenient berthing windows. We are also able to offer our customers in Liverpool’s hinterland access to South European and North African markets via Seago Line as a complementary addition to our existing offer.”

Liverpool2 started handling its first containers earlier this month and will continue with a phased opening throughout the summer and full operation of Phase 1 from the autumn.

About Liverpool2
Liverpool2 will allow global shippers ‘ship-to-door’ access to the UK's major import centres via the most economic and lowest carbon route, and provide northern UK-based exporters with a more competitive route to market. The £300m construction programme comprises a new quay wall, land reclamation to create the 16 hectare site, dredging of a new 16.5m deep berthing pocket, installation of eight 24-wide ship-to-shore quay cranes and 22 cantilever rail mounted gantry cranes, and associated supporting infrastructure works.  
 
About Peel Ports and the Peel Group
Peel Ports is one of the UK’s largest port groups, owning and operating seven of the UK and Ireland’s most important ports. It handles 70 million tonnes of cargo every year. It is headquartered in Liverpool and employs around 1,200 staff. Peel Ports is part of the Peel Group, one of the UK’s foremost privately owned investment enterprises. Our strategy embraces a broad range of sectors - land and property, transport and logistics, retail and leisure, energy, and media, with assets owned or under management of more than £5 billion. Group investment policy is focused on actively managing our diverse portfolio, enhancing the quality of our assets and recycling capital over the long term.

About Seago Line
Seago Line is a dedicated intra-European carrier offering short sea and feeder container shipping services in Europe - from the Black Sea through the Mediterranean to the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. With more than 300 employees and 40 offices, Seago Line focuses on running an extensive shipping network with high-quality equipment, maintaining operational flexibility and reliability and taking care of its customers. It runs 62 vessels covering more than 70 ports, creating one of the most extensive route networks in the region. Seago Line was established in 2011 and is a fully owned subsidiary of Maersk Line.