2M Partners Revamp Asia-Europe Networks

Targeting improved schedule reliability, A.P. Moller – Maersk has overhauled its services connecting Asia and Europe by cutting eight ports calls in the network.

The improvements are expected to result in prolonged, but competitive transit times, the company explained.

“To meet our customer’s increasing need for reliable cargo delivery, we have reviewed our service network and identified additional time to recover from the potential delays we continue to face from bad weather and other external factors,” says Johan Sigsgaard, Head of Europe Trade, A.P. Moller – Maersk.

Maersk said that the enhancements build on the Asia-Europe network changes in May 2018 which enabled it to regain “a market leading position on schedule reliability.”

As disclosed, the changes include  a net reduction of eight port calls in the network enabling “extra operational buffer time.”

Further, six extra vessels are added across the ten service strings in the network, with weekly deployed capacity remaining unchanged due to slower vessel speeds.

The integrated logistics company said that reductions were achieved with minimal impact to product offerings.

Maersk’s 2M Alliance partner Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), said in a separate release that it has also revised its ocean network between Asia and Europe.

“We can only assume that container terminal congestion at the main ports of the trade will continue to worsen, leading us to anticipate and incorporate longer time buffers in the schedule, in terms of port stays and speed at sea,” MSC said.

“MSC is therefore heavily investing in the East-West network to deliver a first-class product and ensure that we match, or even exceed, our customers’ expectations.”

Specifically, MSC will phase in additional vessels to existing loops on the trade.  The implementation of the new network is planned for early March 2019 and remains subject to further updates.