TRANSATLANTIC operator ICL has switched its UK port call from Liverpool to Southampton in a bid to boost year-round schedule reliability. The shipping line has called at the port of Liverpool for two decades.
The arrival of the 2,546 TEU vessel Independent Spirit signalled the implementation of the shift to Southampton.
The managing partners explained that increasingly adverse weather conditions in the North Atlantic has caused delays to its service each winter and they assured their customers that this port switch will result in better reliability for their own supply chains, reported WorldCargo News, Leatherhead, Surrey.
In a letter to customers, the shipping line's managing partners John Kirkland and Dale Ross said: 'While ICL remains at the top of transatlantic reliability as per Sea-Intel data, each winter is bringing more weather challenges in the north Atlantic and keeping schedule becomes more difficult. This change will allow us to get back to 100 per cent reliability year-round.
'We have planned and coordinated various intermodal options that will allow your cargo to be picked up and delivered at the same award-winning intermodal service levels and your local ICL representative will be in touch with you to ensure a seamless transition as we change our UK port of call.'
DP World head of UK Ports James Leeson said: 'DP World is delighted to welcome ICL to Southampton, which is considered the highest productivity terminal in the UK. Working closely with ICL we look forward to demonstrating to its customers our trademark service for reliability, productivity and efficiency.'
In the US, ICL calls at Chester, Pennsylvania, Wilmington, North Carolina, and then sails onto Southampton, UK and Antwerp, Belgium, with four ships on a 28-day rotation providing a weekly service.
WORLD SHIPPING
The arrival of the 2,546 TEU vessel Independent Spirit signalled the implementation of the shift to Southampton.
The managing partners explained that increasingly adverse weather conditions in the North Atlantic has caused delays to its service each winter and they assured their customers that this port switch will result in better reliability for their own supply chains, reported WorldCargo News, Leatherhead, Surrey.
In a letter to customers, the shipping line's managing partners John Kirkland and Dale Ross said: 'While ICL remains at the top of transatlantic reliability as per Sea-Intel data, each winter is bringing more weather challenges in the north Atlantic and keeping schedule becomes more difficult. This change will allow us to get back to 100 per cent reliability year-round.
'We have planned and coordinated various intermodal options that will allow your cargo to be picked up and delivered at the same award-winning intermodal service levels and your local ICL representative will be in touch with you to ensure a seamless transition as we change our UK port of call.'
DP World head of UK Ports James Leeson said: 'DP World is delighted to welcome ICL to Southampton, which is considered the highest productivity terminal in the UK. Working closely with ICL we look forward to demonstrating to its customers our trademark service for reliability, productivity and efficiency.'
In the US, ICL calls at Chester, Pennsylvania, Wilmington, North Carolina, and then sails onto Southampton, UK and Antwerp, Belgium, with four ships on a 28-day rotation providing a weekly service.
WORLD SHIPPING