Europe Service News

Hong Kong-based shipping line OOCL announced it has taken delivery of another ultra-large containership The 24,188 TEU vessel OOCL Piraeus is the first in the series of six container vessels to be delivered by Dalian Cosco KHI Ship Engineering Co., Ltd. (DACKS).OOCL placed an order for a total of twelve 24,188 TEU container vessels in 2020. Of this set of 12, OOCL Piraeus is the second vessel to be delivered following the delivery of the OOCL Spain earlier in the year."Vessels in this series are equipped with advanced smart systems and green designs to reduce carbon emissions…

The first container-ship in the new Asia service Loop 7 - the Taurus,  14.424 TEU, belonging to the Ocean Alliance - has berthed in the Port of Hamburg.Port of Hamburg said that this service is part of the new Day 3 Product, with which the Alliance consisting of CMA CGM, Cosco, Evergreen and OOCL is entering its third year.With DAY 3, the Ocean Alliance has 330 containerships in 38 services, increasing its transport capacity to 3.8 million TEU. With Loop 7, six out of seven Ocean Alliance Asia-North Europe services call at the Port of Hamburg.In total 21 liner services currently sail between Hamburg and the Far East, of which 14 are container liner services.The new Asia-North Europe service Loop 7 is served by ten Evergreen units between 13…

Two new 14,000 TEU full-container vessels built for Taiwanese ocean shipping company Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation  by Imabari Shipbuilding  Japan, were named as YM Wonderland and YM Wisdom respectively.Yang Ming Chairman Bronson Hsieh, and National Ocean Taiwan University President Chang Ching Fong, were invited to the naming ceremony. Ms. Sun Lan Tien, wife of Mr. Chang Ching Fong and Ms. Wu Li Fen, wife of Yang Ming Shipping Europe GmbH Managing Director Hsu Shih Feng, were also invited to officiate the naming of the new vessels at Imabari Saijo Shipyard.YM Wonderland and YM Wisdom are the second and the third of five 14,000 TEU full-container vessels Yang Ming chartered from Shoei Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.

APM Terminals set a new North American operations record this month with 27,846 TEUs handled on one vessel.This represents a complete discharge of the vessel for import cargo and a complete new load of export containers, in addition to empty containers needed back in Asia to balance the container equipment flow, said a press release.Steven Trombley, APM Terminals Pier 400 Los Angeles Managing Director said, “Our terminal operations team works closely with our customers to optimize their peak season needs to ensure the port productivity and yard, rail and gate capacity meet and exceed customer expectations.”The 15,500 TEU, E-class, Eleonora Maersk vessel normally sails in the Asia/Europe service…

A CMA CGM containership plowed head-on into a pier at India's largest container port on Saturday, causing visible damage to the dock.The 336-meter, 10,000 TEU CMA CGM Mumbai reportedly lost steering while attempting to berth at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port,on the west coast of India. Officials said damage to the pier is only minor, and the damage to the ship is unkonwn. No injuries were reported.The Hong-Kong flagged vessel, owned by CMA CGM and operated by Seaspan, was delivered in May this year from Chinese yard Yangzijiang Shipbuilding.

Japan's Ocean Network Express (ONE) and Germany's Hapag-Lloyd have agreed to share space on their feeder services.As the first step, the cooperation will cover specific Intra-Europe (BAX, NBS, NPX, REX, SDX, ADX, LEX) and Intra-Asia (BHX, HAS, PID) feeder trade lanes. The carriers have already ushered in a new Intra-Asia service, the Bohai Feeder (BHX) in August and will further introduce a new Intra-Europe service, the North Sea Poland Express (NPX), in mid-October to further…

With 19,038 TEU loaded on board, the Mumbai Maersk has set a world record for the largest-ever containership cargo.The second-generation Triple-E containership left the dock of Malaysia’s Tanjung Pelepas Port over the past weekend and is now sailing into Europe. The ship is scheduled to make its first stop at Rotterdam on September 5.Mumbai Maersk, the newest to enter Maersk Line’s Triple-E fleet in May 2018, has a nominal capacity of 20,568 TEU and is deployed on the Asia-to-Europe service (AE5).The 19…

The Korean container shipping company Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) has started a new, independent Asia-North Europe service in April. The first vessel of the AEX service to call at Eurogate Container Terminal Hamburg on 12 May was ‘Hyundai Forward’ with a capacity of the 4,700 TEU. A total of ten units of these comparatively small Panamax container ships will rotate weekly between Busan (Korea), Shanghai (China), Ningbo (China), Kaohsiung (China), Yantian (China), Singapore, Colombo (Sri Lanka), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Hamburg (Germany), Southampton (UK), Singapore, Hong Kong (China) and Busan. The AEX service is an express service. The transit time from Busan to Hamburg is 32 days and from Shanghai to Hamburg 30 days.

South Korea's Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) announced that it launches new Asia-North Europe Express (AEX) service in April. HMM opens a new Asia-North Europe loop in accordance with the increased demand for Express Service. AEX is an independent service operated by HMM outside of the strategic cooperation with 2M. In the meantime, HMM has utilized 2M’s vessel space in Europe trade. Last year, HMM’s handling volume dramatically increased to 4.03 million teu, up more than 30% y.o.y mainly in Asia, US and Europe trades. HMM will deploy ten Panamax (4,600 teu) vessels in AEX service and its first sailing begins on April 8th. Port rotation of the new service is Pusan, Shanghai, Ningbo, Kaohsiung, Shenzhen, Singapore, Colombo, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Southampton, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Pusan.

MOL Triumph, the first of the world’s largest and newest vessels to call in the UK, arrives in Southampton on THE Alliance's FE2 service as new third deep-water berth opened at London Gateway in April, ahead of first regular Asia-Europe service starting. DP World's UK terminals will welcome the first services from the Far East following a global shake-up of the world’s shipping lines. Inaugural calls of Asia/Europe services by THE Alliance, a shipping consortium made up of Mitsui O.S.K Line, Yang Ming, NYK, K-Line and Hapag Lloyd/UASC, will see the largest vessel to ever call at a UK port berth at DP World Southampton this Thursday, May 11.

Four years after the arrival of the first Triple-E vessel, Maersk Line has now deployed Madrid Maersk, the first of its second-generation Triple-E containerships. With nearly 2,000 more TEU capacity than the prior generation Triple Es, the 20,568 TEU (nominal capacity) Madrid Maersk has set sail on Maersk Line’s Asia – Europe service network, calling the Port of Tianjin in China on April 27 as its first port on its maiden voyage. Madrid Maersk is the first to enter service of the 27 new vessels ordered by Maersk Line in 2015.

APL today announced the launch of a new weekly service - the India Pakistan Europe (IPE) Service, directly connecting the key South Asian markets of India and Pakistan to major ports in Europe. The new IPE service builds on APL’s strong market presence and local expertise in India and Pakistan to enhance its Asia-Europe service offerings. “Europe is a premier trading partner and a major export market of South Asian countries. It is opportune that we expand our service coverage in Asia-Europe through the new IPE service, directly linking the major economies of India and Pakistan to Europe. As APL offers market connectivity, our priorities are also to provide reliable and timely cargo shipments across all regions,” said Eric Eng, APL Head of Asia Europe Trade.

Facing less-than-expected market demand, members of the G6 Alliance announced additional void sailings within the container shippers’ Asia-Europe service, suspending its Loop 6 service until further notice. The G6 Alliance, which consists of APL, Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai Merchant Marine, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Nippon Yusen Kaisha and Orient Overseas Container Line, said it continues to offer various services between Asia and Europe covering major port pairs with weekly sailings. The shippers said further service adjustments are possible as the G6 Alliance continues to review its product profile…

With the call by the AZARGOUN in Hamburg on 17 March 2016, IRISL – Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines – is reopening its regular liner service “European Container Line” (ECL) between Northern Europe and ports in the Persian Gulf following its closure in mid-2010 on account of sanctions. The new service will be operating with 2,500-TEU containerships, calling at Hamburg and Antwerp, along with Genoa, Istanbul, Port Said and Bandar Abbas. The AZARGOUN is 207 metres long and 29.8 metres wide and was built for IRISL at what was then the Aker MTW shipyard in Wismar in 2003. In addition, the SEVGI will be resuming the conventional liner service with multi-purpose tonnage between Northern Europe and the Persian Gulf.

CKYHE Alliance - COSCON, "K"Line, Yang Ming, Hanjin and Evergreen Line - is reorganizing its service network for Asia-North Europe and Asia-Mediterranean trades in 2016. The CKYHE Alliance will provide five Asia-North Europe services (NE2/NE3/NE5-CEM/NE6/NE7) and four Asia-Mediterranean services (MD1/MD2/HPM-MD3/FEM) with the optimum port coverage throughout Asia, North Europe, East Mediterranean, andWest Mediterranean region from end of March of 2016. CKYHE Alliance will continuously offer quality service to customers by enhancing service efficiency, providing stable transit time and offering more flexible port-pair options. Xingang-Dalian-Qingdao-Shanghai-Ningbo-Singapore-Felixstowe-Rotterdam-Hamburg-Antwerp-Shanghai-Xingang.

Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou honored Evergreen Group founder Dr. Chang Yung-Fa with a posthumous commendation in recognition of his contributions to international transportation and social welfare during the memorial service today. The company's North America headquarters are in Jersey City, N.J. Taiwan's Education Minister and the Minister of Transportation and Communications also offered homage to Dr. Chang with the First-Class Professional Education Medal and First-Class Professional Transportation Medal. Evergreen Group is holding the memorial services for Dr.

The MSC Maya, the fourth of 20 Oscar-Class Ultra-Large Container Ships (ULCS), arrived at APM Terminals Gothenburg on December 21 from the Port of Bremerhaven as part of the regular port rotation of the Maersk Line/Mediterranean Shipping Company AE-2/Swan Far East/North Europe Service in the 2M alliance. With a published capacity of 19,224 TEUs, Oscar-class vessels are the world’s current record holders in container carrying capacity. These ULCS are 396 meters-long, and require a depth of 16 meters. “This is the only port in Sweden with a water depth to handle vessels this large”, noted APM Terminals Gothenburg Vessel Planner Peter Hägg, who has since early December been preparing the operational details of the MSC Maya’s arrival. The MSC Maya will be in port for only a total of 35 hours.

The MSC Maya, the fourth of 20 Oscar-Class Ultra-Large Container Ships (ULCS), arrived at APM Terminals Gothenburg on December 21 from the Port of Bremerhaven as part of the regular port rotation of the Maersk Line/Mediterranean Shipping Company AE-2/Swan Far East/North Europe Service in the 2M alliance. With a published capacity of 19,224 TEUs, Oscar-class vessels are the world’s current record holders in container carrying capacity. These ULCS are 396 meters-long, and require a depth of 16 meters. “This is the only port in Sweden with a water depth to handle vessels this large”, noted APM Terminals Gothenburg Vessel Planner Peter Hägg, who has since early December been preparing the operational details of the MSC Maya’s arrival. The MSC Maya will be in port for only a total of 35 hours.

Stolt-Nielsen Limited (Oslo Bors: SNI) announced  that Stolt Tankers B.V. has agreed to acquire three 5,800 dwt fully stainless steel parcel tankers from Odfjell Tankers AS. The ships, which were built in 1997-1998 and are sister ships of three tankers currently operated by Stolt Tankers, are expected to join the Stolt-Nielsen Inter-Europe Service by the end of August 2015. Further terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Commenting on the purchase, Hans P. Feringa, President of Stolt Tankers…

Stolt Tankers B.V. has agreed to acquire three 5,800 dwt fully stainless steel parcel tankers from Odfjell Tankers AS. The ships, which were built in 1997-1998 and are sister ships of three tankers currently operated by Stolt Tankers, are expected to join the Stolt-Nielsen Inter-Europe Service by the end of August 2015. Further terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Commenting on the purchase, Hans P. Feringa, President of Stolt Tankers, said, "We are pleased to have acquired these well priced, high quality assets, which enhance the scale efficiency of our fleet of European regional parcel tankers. The three ships are highly specialised, with 20 duplex stainless steel tanks, ICE class 1A and fitted with nitrogen generators.

Standalone West Africa Express service (WAX) offers improved transit times, connection to Hapag-Lloyds global service network. Effective August 10, Hapag-Lloyd will offer its customers an improved service between West Africa and Northern Europe, the company announced today. The new West Africa Express service (WAX) provides transits to and from key markets, for instance 13 days from Antwerp to Dakar, and from Abidjan to Antwerp in only 11 days. The improved service will be the only direct full container service from Hamburg and neighboring countries to West Africa.

The G6 Alliance has strengthened its Asia-Europe service by adding additional ports. The G6 alliance, consisting of APL, Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai Merchant Marine, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Nippon Yusen Kaisha and Orient Overseas Container Line, will be upgrading its Loop 7 service to include calls at Gothenburg and Antwerp. One of the G6 Alliance operators Hapag-Lloyd, said  that in response to market demand, members of the Alliance announced the following Asia – Europe service enhancement to improve the connection between Asia and Scandinavia. This enhancement will also provide a better transit time from Antwerp to Asia. The enhancement will take effect on the 005 voyage operated by the Hyundai Drive, which departed Qingdao on July 14, 2015.

Maersk Line, the container shipping unit in the A.P. Moller-Maersk group in Copenhagen, says it will cut about 16% of its capacity on the West Central Asia-Europe trade lane. "In our continuous effort to provide our customers with an attractive and competitive West Central Asia / Europe network - both in terms of capacity and coverage - Maersk Line is enhancing the ME1, ME2 and ME3 services and discontinuing the ME5 service with effect from October 2015," says a statement from the company. The closure of the ME5 will result in a capacity reduction corresponding to approximately 16 percent of our dedicated West Central Asia / Europe service capacity. The termination of the service will not impact our ability to serve our customers in the market that the ME5 covers.