Maersk Announcement

Maersk Line Introduces new Trans-Pacific Coverage

Charlotte, North Carolina (March 01, 2011)  -

Maersk Line

is pleased to announce deployment of an enhanced Trans-Pacific service network at the end of May 2011. The design of the network is geared to deliver comprehensive coverage of key markets in Asia and North America and continue to improve upon Maersk’s industry leading reliability in the Trans-Pacific trade. In particular, the expanded coverage of the Yangtze River region and outlying cities is a direct result of listening to customer preferences, Maersk has responded to their need for more reliable coverage due to increased demand from that region. At the same time, the new network will enable Maersk Line to continue deliver cost effective transportation and reduce the carbon footprints of Maersk Line and customers.  The service changes include:

- A Maersk Line operated TP1 service utilizing larger vessels and midweek delivery to Los Angeles for reliable connections to weekend trains (operating as a VSA with CMA CGM and MSC)

- TP2 coverage from South and Central China to and from the US West Coast with a new call in Ningbo (operated by MSC as VSA with Maersk Line and CMA CGM)

- A new Qingdao, China call added to the TP8 service using ‘S’ class vessels (operated by CMA & MSC jointly as a VSA with Maersk Line)

- Larger vessels to be deployed on the TP3 and the TP9 services providing expanded capabilities meeting increased demand to and from US East Coast markets

- A TP5 service consisting of  five Panamax class US flag vessels with expanded coverage of Japan

- A comprehensive Maersk Line operated TP6 service focused on delivering the highest reliability from Southeast Asia and China to and from  the U.S. West Coast

- A dedicated TP7 U.S. East Coast service string utilizing Panamax vessels focusing on direct calls at U.S. South Atlantic ports.    

“Maersk Line is making exciting changes to our trans-Pacific services to provide our customers with cost effective products that deliver the most competitive transit times in the market, enabling us to deliver on our goal of 95% on time reliability to the last container yard for our customers. Reliability is a key driver for our customers,” said Bill Woodhour, Senior Vice President, Maersk Line North America. “With the addition of larger vessels, Maersk will be able to meet increasing demand in key markets while delivering a more environmentally responsible product.”

The new rotation integrates double coverage in some key ports such as Ningbo and Shanghai to the Pacific Southwest ports so cargo can be switched to other strings for seamless delivery during peak shipping periods. With the intra-Asia feeder options, Maersk Line can penetrate over 100 local market locations and integrate these areas with our vast service network.

“Maersk Line is focusing our efforts on becoming the easiest ocean shipping line to do business with in the industry.  Maersk are the #1 carrier in on-time reliability and our aim is to increase that to an even higher percentage,” said Lars Mikael Jensen, Vice President, Network and Product, Pacific Services. “Marrying reliability with ease of business and environmental performance allows us to deliver the best value proposition for our customers.” 

Further details including pro forma schedules and service maps are available at Maersk’s website, www.maerskline.com

.