MAERSK Line is continuing with its service rationalisation drive, after announcing that it will operate fewer services within its transpacific network, in a bid to move greater volumes of freight at a lower cost to shippers and enhance schedule reliability.

As a result, the Transpacific 12 (TP12) will be phased out, with its last import sailing in early May. The TP12 currently provides a weekly service connecting East China, Korea and Japan with the Pacific Southwest and US east coast.

In future, Maersk Line will continue to call at transpacific ports by integrating them into other Pacific services, specifically the TP3, TP7, TP8 and AC1. The realignment is designed to increase cargo density on the more efficient replacement routes, plus simplify the network and related services, a company statement said.

This comes after the Maersk Group suffered a loss of US$600 million from container activities in the first half of last year, due mainly to heavy investments in newly acquired P&O Nedlloyd, primarily in additional tonnage and terminals, combined with weaker freight rates, higher fuel expenses and the prevailing world trade imbalance.

The port rotation for the revised TP3 service will be eastbound: Shanghai, Yantian, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Balboa, Newark, Norfolk. On the westbound leg it will rotate: Newark, Norfolk, Manzanillo, Shanghai, Yantian, Hong Kong, and Kaohsiung.

The restructured TP7 service will call eastbound at: Shanghai, Yantian, Hong Kong, Busan, Balboa, Miami, Savannah, Charleston, Newark. On the westbound leg it will rotate: Newark, Savannah, Miami, Balboa, Los Angeles, Oakland, Shanghai, Yantian, Hong Kong, Busan.

Eastbound, the amended TP8 service will make stops at: Dalian, Xingang, Qingdao, Kwangyang, Busan, Nagoya, Yokohama, Los Angeles, Oakland. The westbound rotation will remain Los Angeles, Oakland, Dalian, Xingang, Qingdao.

The revamped AC1 service will provide Japan with a link to the US east coast, by including a non-stop link between Yokohama and Balboa, where it can connect to the TP7 or TP3. The AC1 will likewise provide westbound connections from TP7 to Japan, North and East China.

The TP5 provides a link from east China to the US west coast and will be unchanged.

The company added that a slot charter agreement with Evergreen will allow Maersk Line to continue coverage of Kobe, Osaka, and Shimizu in Japan to the Pacific Southwest.