Maersk switches services to Liverpool

Maersk has moved two of its transatlantic services from Felixstowe to Liverpool for 12 weeks in response to slow operations at Felixstowe which have been caused by IT issues.

The services affected at the 2M TA2 and COEX transatlantic services. The first vessels diverting to Liverpool are the Cap Beatrice (COEX) on 20th July and Archimidis (TA2) on 22nd July.

In a customer update on 10th July, the Port of Felixstowe said: “We continue to work to improve productivity levels. Vessel and rail loading performance remain below the targets we need to achieve. We are working to reduce further the number of rail misses and we recognise that performance in all areas is not good enough.

“Overall quayside volume last week was 66,000 TEU and productivity was 80 per cent of pre go-live levels. Nearly 5,000 containers were loaded to rail and over 21,000 road hauliers serviced. Average haulier turnaround times have stabilised at 46 minutes. A number of initiatives have been implemented to further enhance yard productivity. These enhancements will also improve vessel, rail and road loading times.

“A new area for empty storage will be opened behind Berths 8&9 on 14 July. The new yard will provide capacity for an additional 4,200 TEU of empty storage and will facilitate quicker loading of empties to outbound vessels.

“In the coming week, the focus will be on further improvements to yard operations which will, in turn, improve vessel and rail loading cycles.”