The 2M partnership between Maersk Line and Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC) announced the reduction of capacity in their Asia-Black Sea network by next month as business in the area continues to sag.
In a separate statement, MSC said it will withdraw its Great Sea service that operates between Asia and the Black Sea “due to unexpectedly low demand out of Asia.”
“The service will cease operation on Asia export sailings from the first week of November,” it added.
Instead, MSC will provide a transshipment service between Asia and the Black Sea. Cargo will be transshipped in Asyaport, which is located in Barbaros, Tekirdag, Turkey.
“We expect to offer good transit times, and full schedule details will be provided in due course. MSC remains committed to supporting customers, and while current demand is not sufficient to meet the costs of running a dedicated service, the transshipment service will provide the optimum solution for maintaining their supply chain,” it declared.
Meanwhile, “as a result of market circumstances,” Maersk Line said it is merging the AE3 and AE15 services covering the Asia-Mediterranean trade, effectively leading to “a downscale of nine 5,500 TEU (nominal) vessels.”
“We are dedicated to continuously serve our customers on this trade and will establish a comprehensive feeder setup to cater for all the Black Sea markets,” the carrier said.
“The change will become effective starting the first week of November 2015. We will announce further details and schedules as soon as they are finalized.”
OOCL blanked trips
On the other hand, Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) plans to withdraw Asia-Europe sailings “in response to the expected low demand during the Christmas period.”
Voided from its Asia-Mediterranean service is the EUM MOL Belief (ETA Busan on November 22, 2015 and ETA Genova on December 23, 2015).
For the Asia-North Europe service, to be blanked is Loop 6 Hyundai Victory (ETA Fuzhou on November 19, 2015 and ETA Southampton on December 22, 2015).
Photo: Konflikty.pl
