Container shipping entity, Maersk, has disclosed its plan to discontinue deploying its larger vessels at the Port of Felixstowe, opting instead for the London Gateway starting February next year. This decision emerges from an extensive review of its Asia-Europe shipping lanes, with the London Gateway identified as a superior option for serving its UK clientele.
The adjustment is a component of the Gemini Co-operation, a collaborative network optimization with Hapag-Lloyd. Consequently, Felixstowe will no longer feature in the shared Gemini network, although Maersk's operations unrelated to this collaboration at Felixstowe will persist without alteration. The precise impact on the number of vessels calling at Felixstowe remains unspecified, but estimates suggest a reduction of approximately two large ships weekly.
Despite Felixstowe's capacity to accommodate the globe's most colossal container ships, Maersk's smaller vessels will continue to frequent the port. This development follows the announcement of a £1bn investment to expand London Gateway, which commenced operations in 2013.
The decision has elicited a measured response from local stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of enhancing Felixstowe's infrastructure to remain competitive. Suffolk Coastal's Labour MP, Jenny Riddell-Carpenter, expressed disappointment but reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring Felixstowe's global stature. Similarly, the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce highlighted the necessity for top-tier infrastructure to attract and retain business amidst intensifying port competition.
Source: BBC