by Priya Radünzel, SeaNewsEditor
Container shipping companies adjust their services in response to market dynamics and operational hurdles. Stay informed of upcoming changes with Kuehne+Nagel's carrier service update, published bi-weekly on Sea News and seaexplorer.
Service adjustments amid Middle East conflict
In light of the escalating conflict in the Middle East, some carriers have reduced their services to Israel. The safety of crew, cargo, and vessels remains paramount in this developing situation.
The following are the operational changes/statuses reported by the carriers to date:
- CMA CGM: The latest report mentions no disruptions to shipping and services in the region.
- ZIM: advises services and operations continue as normal in Haifa and Ashdod.
- Maersk has suspended vessel calls to Haifa and will no longer accept cargo to the port. Calls in Ashdod will continue.
Carriers report services through the Strait of Hormuz continue as usual. However, they are closely monitoring the situation and assessing potential risks to shipping operations.
Sea News will continue to provide up-to-date news on the developing situation. Read our latest article here
New & updated services
Asia↔Africa
On 19 June, MSC launched a service between Singapore and East Africa as follows:
- Carrier service name: Oryx
- Port rotation: Singapore - Mombasa - Dar es Salaam - Singapore
- First sailing: MSC ELBA III / JL525A, ATD Singapore on 20 June
Asia↔Middle East
Starting in July, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd will call in Qingdao on their Far East Middle East service.
- Carrier service name: FM1 (Maersk), AGX (Hapag-Lloyd)
- Port rotation: Xingang - Qingdao - Busan - Ningbo - Shanghai - Tanjung Pelepas - Jebel Ali - Singapore - Xingang
- First sailing: Seaspan Amazon, ETA Qingdao 1 July
Asia↔North America
From July, Gemini Cooperation will add a call in Yantian to its service between China, Vietnam, and Los Angeles.
- Carrier service name: WC1 (Hapag-Lloyd), Maersk (TP6)
- Port rotation: Vung Tau - Nansha - Yantian - Los Angeles - Yantian - Vung Tau
- First sailing: Maersk Skarstind / 524W, ETA Yantian 5 July
From July, Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk will add a call in Xingang as the first port of call in Asia on their service between China, South Korea and the US West Coast.
- Carrier service name: WC2 (Hapag-Lloyd), Maersk (TP8)
- Port rotation: Xingang - Qingdao - Busan - Shanghai - Los Angeles - Oakland - Xingang
- First sailing: Guthorm Maersk / 527E, ETD Xingang 2 July
Asia↔South America
In preparation for the winter season in the Southern Hemisphere, Maersk and ZIM will implement a seasonal proforma change on their service between Asia and the South American East Coast.
The Singapore westbound call will be temporarily removed, and Hong Kong will be called before Yantian from July. Hapag-Lloyd and ONE are slot charterers on this service.
- Carrier service name: NEOASAS - X4A (Maersk), ZIM (ASE), ASE (Hapag-Lloyd), SX2(ONE)
- Port rotation: Qingdao - Shanghai - Ningbo - Hong Kong - Yantian - Santos - Itapoa - Buenos Aires - Montevideo - Itapoa - Paranagua - Santos - Singapore - Hong Kong - Qingdao
- First sailing: Maersk San Lazaro / 527W, previous ETA Singapore 18 July
Mediterranean ↔Middle East
In July, CMA CGM will launch a new service connecting Turkey with Jeddah and Beirut as follows:
- Carrier service name: Levant Red Sea Express (LRX)
- Port rotation: Jeddah - Ambarli - Mersin - Iskenderun - Beirut - Jeddah
- First sailing: CMA CGM Fort St Pierre / 0L101W1MA, ETD Jeddah 8 July
Mediterranean↔Africa
In mid-June, MSC launched a service between the West Mediterranean and West Africa as follows:
- Carrier service name: West Med to West Africa
- Port rotation: Genoa- Valencia- Las Palmas- Dakar- Tema- Lome- Abidjan- Dakar- Genoa
- First sailing: MSC Panaya / ML524A, ATD Genoa 17 June
For more point-to-point service options, including transit times across major ocean carriers, refer to seaexplorer.
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Subscribe to our SeaNews newsletter for the most relevant information.
