THE Asia-Europe AE7 Condor service operated by the 2M+1 Alliance that comprises Maersk Line and MSC with Hamburg Sud and HMM has started making scheduled calls at DP World's deepwater London Gateway port.
The start of regular weekly service was marked with the arrival of Maersk Line's 18,720-TEU Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller. This containership transports freight between mainland China, Hong Kong, North Africa and northern Europe, along with sister ships whose capacity range from 17,500 to 19,500 TEU.
The announcement that the service would begin scheduled calls at the Thameside facility came as the port celebrated its fifth anniversary. Over that period MSC, Maersk Line and Hamburg Sud carried UK trade in and out of the port from countries in South and Central America, the Mediterranean, South Africa, Pakistan and India, reported UK's Handy Shipping Guide.
Said DP World UK chief Chris Lewis: 'It is five years since the port was formally opened and in that time DP World has remained steadfast in its determination to develop a global hub (port and logistics park) for UK trade.
'By investing in the latest technology and employing the best people in a location that reduces carbon emissions and cost in the supply chain, we have turned this vision into reality and we will continue to innovate and improve our services for customers going forward.'
The port's automated technology and ongoing improvements to operations have contributed to the River Thames facility becoming one of the fastest growing ports in the world by percentage TEU growth.
MSC UK commercial director Michael Collins said: 'To maintain the highest level of service for our customers in the UK, we have welcomed the change of the Condor service to DP World London Gateway, which will continue to offer market-leading landside connections and direct sailings to Jebel Ali in 20 days and Salalah in 18 days.'
It would seem that Maersk are equally pleased with the transfer of the service to London Gateway, a port which is less vulnerable to inclement weather conditions than other major deepwater ports in coastal locations and enjoys proximity to the UK's southeast conurbation.
Maersk Line UK & Ireland managing director Brian Godsafe added: 'We expect that with this change, our customers will experience a reduced number of schedule changes and unexpected disruptions.'
WORLD SHIPPING
The start of regular weekly service was marked with the arrival of Maersk Line's 18,720-TEU Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller. This containership transports freight between mainland China, Hong Kong, North Africa and northern Europe, along with sister ships whose capacity range from 17,500 to 19,500 TEU.
The announcement that the service would begin scheduled calls at the Thameside facility came as the port celebrated its fifth anniversary. Over that period MSC, Maersk Line and Hamburg Sud carried UK trade in and out of the port from countries in South and Central America, the Mediterranean, South Africa, Pakistan and India, reported UK's Handy Shipping Guide.
Said DP World UK chief Chris Lewis: 'It is five years since the port was formally opened and in that time DP World has remained steadfast in its determination to develop a global hub (port and logistics park) for UK trade.
'By investing in the latest technology and employing the best people in a location that reduces carbon emissions and cost in the supply chain, we have turned this vision into reality and we will continue to innovate and improve our services for customers going forward.'
The port's automated technology and ongoing improvements to operations have contributed to the River Thames facility becoming one of the fastest growing ports in the world by percentage TEU growth.
MSC UK commercial director Michael Collins said: 'To maintain the highest level of service for our customers in the UK, we have welcomed the change of the Condor service to DP World London Gateway, which will continue to offer market-leading landside connections and direct sailings to Jebel Ali in 20 days and Salalah in 18 days.'
It would seem that Maersk are equally pleased with the transfer of the service to London Gateway, a port which is less vulnerable to inclement weather conditions than other major deepwater ports in coastal locations and enjoys proximity to the UK's southeast conurbation.
Maersk Line UK & Ireland managing director Brian Godsafe added: 'We expect that with this change, our customers will experience a reduced number of schedule changes and unexpected disruptions.'
WORLD SHIPPING