Last Minute Vessel Cancellation From Asia To North Europe, Surprising

• The 2M alliance announces a further blank sailing this week from Asia to North Europe to use the vessel on another service. 
• The last-minute cancellation of the sailing of the 19,224 teu MSC Erica from Shanghai on 21 February is surprising.
• The ship is due at the port at 4am on Sunday in ballast and, according to a local report, is fully booked. 

A recent Loadstar article written by Mike Wackett reveals that shipper credulity strained after 2M’s last-minute Asia-Europe blanking.

Omission of its Griffin-branded service

MSC said the omission of its Griffin-branded service was necessary to enhance schedule reliability.

 While Maersk said cancelling its AE55 loop was to free up this vessel for schedule recovery measures on other services. 

What does the carrier say?

There is an ongoing schedule reliability considerations.

Maersk is implementing measures to improve schedule reliability in its Far East Asia to Europe network.

Adverse effects of cancellation

It is just another ploy by the carriers to keep rates at their ridiculous levels.

While a forwarder suggested the excuses for blanking sailings to improve schedule integrity did not make a lot of sense. 

Meanwhile, shippers continue to look at establishing more one-off voyages from Asia to North Europe to evacuate the massive backlog of cargo.

The sailing of the 2,700 teu Laila from Yantian on 8 February, organised by German-based international purchasing association XSTAFF, in partnership with intra-Asia carrier CULines, is one example. 

Did you subscribe to our daily newsletter?

It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!

Source: The Loadstar

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•