Germany-based Hamburg Sud announced plans to offer an improved service in the East-West trades utilizing its slot charter agreement with Maersk Line.
In a written release, the carrier said that with the new service, customers will benefit from an improved port coverage and very competitive transit times.
Under the slot purchase deal, Hamburg Sud’s number of weekly sailings in five trades will be increased from the present 11 to 16. The number of ports called will rise to over 60, and the number of direct port pairs will go up to more than 145.
The new service network will cover Asia-North Europe with five sailings per week; Asia-Mediterranean, two sailings per week; Asia-North America West Coast, four sailings per week; Asia-North America East Coast, three sailings per week; and Europe-North America East Coast, two sailings per week.
Volumes booked through Hamburg Sud will be carried on the ships of the 2M network.
“The East-West trade lanes are an important part of our entire product portfolio. They give our customers seamless access to the world’s largest liner services—and do so in the customary Hamburg Sud quality,” said Peter Frederiksen, member of the executive board of Hamburg Sud.
Earlier, the 2M alliance of Maersk Line and MSC said it is upgrading its existing network in April in order to carry the volumes of Hamburg Sud and Korean carrier Hyundai Merchant Marine under their newly signed slot purchase pacts.
Hyundai Merchant and Hamburg Sud will move cargo, but not operate vessels in the 2M network, it said.
Pending approval by the responsible authorities, the slot charter agreement is expected to enter into force on April 1, 2017.
Photo: Hamburg Sud
