Maersk Line revises east coast South America loops

DENMARK's Maersk Line will scrap the direct east coast of South America-Middle East connection offered on its 'Samba' service, which will be replaced by a transshipment service from Algeciras, starting in January.

The Samba service goes around the Cape of Good Hope and connects Jebel Ali, Walvis Bay, Vitoria, Itajai, Paranagua, Rio Grande, Santos, Salalah, Jebel Ali, reported the Paris-based Alphaliner newsletter.

It said that connections from the east coast of South America to the Middle East and West Africa will be provided at Algeciras via the Europe-east coast of South America 'L-Class' service.

The port rotation for the 'L-Class' service will be shortened as the service will turn at Algeciras, and port of calls at Rotterdam, Thamesport and Bremerhaven will be removed from the rotation.

From January, the revised port rotation for the 'L-Class' service will be: Algeciras, Dakar, Montevideo, Itajai, Paranagua, Rio Grande, Santos, and back to Algeciras.

The new service bearing the name Samba will be organised from January, connecting North Europe to ECSA. Maersk will offer three weekly sailings from ECSA to North Europe following the changes."

(Source: www.schednet.com)