In an effort to rationalise and further optimise our network between Far East and the Indian Subcontinent to North Europe, Maersk Line will be merging the ICON service with the Asia-Europe ‘Daily Maersk’ network.
Today the ICON service consists of seven Panmax vessels. Beside the optimisation for the Indian Subcontinent to North Europe trade this rationalisation will also help in the efforts to establish a more balanced supply/demand scenario within the Far East to North Europe trade.
The network changes will become effective post Chinese New Year (early February 2012), and will feature the following ICON product enhancements:
– Dedicated feeder link between Chittagong and Tanjung Pelelas, providing access to the ‘Daily Maersk’ network.
– AE7 service direct call in Colombo westbound, improving the transit time from Colombo to North Europe by 2-3 days
– Weekly Chennai feeder via Colombo, improving on time delivery.
Exports from N. Europe to Indian Subcontinent, including Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, will be covered on the AE6 service which will feature direct call in Colombo.
These changes will not have any impact on our Daily Maersk network. The transportation times will remain unchanged.
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World Maritime News Staff, November 25, 2011; Image: Maersk Line