World's Two Largest Container Shipping Lines Revise Freight Routes

ASIA – NORTHERN EUROPE – Once again there are changes being made by the world’s two largest container ship operators with revisions to the freight services between Asia and North Europe. The routes jointly operated by shipping lines MSC and Maersk are undergoing revisions which MSC tells us will further strengthen reliability and provide enhanced transit times for its customers. Revisions include:

• The Albatross service will see a major improvement into Germany now including a direct service from North China to Hamburg, as well as optimised connections with Scandinavia and the Baltics. 
• Westbound transit times will improve by as much as four days from the main Asian markets to Bremerhaven and Rotterdam, and Eastbound services from Rotterdam to Shanghai are to see transit cut to five days.
• Felixstowe will benefit from changes to the Swan service with direct services from Shanghai, Ningbo and Qingdao.
• MSC’s strategic hub of Antwerp is included on four of the five loops; Albatross, Shogun (EB) and Lion, Swan (WB).

The improvements to the network are anticipated to be fully phased-in during the third quarter of 2016 in an alliance which MSC and Maersk embarked on at the beginning of 2015 under the terms of an agreement which is in place for 10 years. Caroline Becquart, MSC’s Senior Vice President commented on the changes saying:

“We’re committed to developing the best product in the market, both in terms of reliability, port coverage and transit time performance. 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.”