Maersk omits Felixstowe from AE7 service

A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) has omitted the Port of Felixstowe from its AE7 service due to “exceptional” waiting times.

The move comes as the shipping line aims to improve schedule reliability on its Far East Asia to North Europe network. The omission will last up until March 2022 and affected Felixstowe volumes will be routed on a shuttle service from Wilhelmshaven.


© A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk)
“As the situation evolves daily, we are working closely with all involved stakeholders in the local supply chain to help mitigate the situation. Ongoing contingency plans will always be made with the objective of minimising supply chain delays and alleviating the impact on our customers’ businesses,” said Maersk in a statement.

“Giving you the best ability to manage your supply chain is of the utmost priority to us and we are working to further give you the tools and information you need to do so.”

Maersk has previously diverted several vessel calls from Felixstowe amid congestion at the port. This included relocating its ME7 westbound call to London Gateway in October 2021.

“The current supply-chain bottlenecks in the United Kingdom continues to negatively affect our customers as well as our service network. The ongoing situation with congestion and port disruptions prolong each port stay our vessels make and significantly disrupts their normal schedules,” the Danish line noted.

The congestion at the Port of Felixstowe is said to have been brought on by a lack of truck drivers, leading to limited inland haulage options.

https://www.porttechnology.org/news/maersk-omits-felixstowe-from-ae7-service/