Maersk Line announces changes to its services connecting Asia and Europe to focus on improving the reliability of the world’s most comprehensive Asia-Europe network. Enhancements address customers’ needs for stable and efficient services and allow for competitive coverage of ports and main markets in both Asia and Europe, the company said in its press release.
“We are pleased to provide our customers with this revised network, which will offer them a higher level of cargo arrival reliability”, comments Johan Sigsgaard, Maersk Line’s Head of Europe Trade.
Port congestions and weather conditions have, among other factors, traditionally impacted reliability on Asia-Europe services. Changes introduced by Maersk Line will address these challenges by significantly improving buffers in schedules, making it easier to accommodate potential disruptions and thus minimising the impact on service delivery.
“Forced port omissions disrupt cargo flows and impact our customers’ supply chains. This network is designed to reduce the necessity to omit ports”, adds Johan Sigsgaard.
As part of the new network, reliability will be enhanced by reducing the amount of duplicate port calls and allocating more buffer time around hub ports. Overall on North European and Mediterranean strings, there will be a reduction of 17 port calls, with an additional vessel added to the network.
The revised portfolio will in addition allow Maersk Line to better balance available capacity across markets, reducing the risk of oversupply and providing strengthened services to key Asian and European ports. Direct coverage to all main markets has been maintained, with tailored products designed for North European, Mediterranean, and Adriatic countries and with attractive coverage of main Middle East markets.
First Westbound sailings on Maersk Line’s revised Asia-Europe network will take place in May.
About Maersk Line
Maersk Line is the world’s largest container shipping company, known for reliable, flexible and eco-efficient services. Part of A.P. Moller – Maersk A/S, headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, Maersk Line operates 668 container vessels providing ocean transportation to all corners of the world.
Every day, 7,600 Maersk Line seafarers and 22,600 land-based employees at 306 offices in 114 countries share their expertise with customers around the world to optimise their supply chains, maximise their distribution networks and most of all realise their business potential. Maersk Line is devoted to creating simple and reliable solutions for customers, continuously lifting industry standards and enabling global trade in the most sustainable manner possible.