Maersk to adopt slow steaming on Far East-Europe trades

MAERSK Line is reported to be implementing the slow steaming on its Asia-Europe routes from December in a bid to absorb excess capacity.

The world's largest container shipping line will reduce speeds on the westbound leg to 17-19 knots from 20-22 knots. Alphaliner weekly newsletter said speeds fall to 14-16 knots eastbound to Asia.

Maersk has so far started practicing the slow steaming technique on two north-south services jointly operated with Hamburg Sud, namely the US east coast-Australia, New Zealand OC 1/Trident service which now uses 10 ships, and the Far East-East Coast of South America service that now uses 12 ships.

"A number of other carriers are adopting the same strategy, with the Grand Alliance EU3 being the latest Asia-Europe string to add one week to its rotation," the newsletter added.

(Source: www.schednet.com)