Maersk opts for extra-slow steaming

Maersk Line is to opt for extra slow steaming on the Asia-Europe route, starting from the end of November.

The Danish carrier will adjust sailing speeds on westbound crossings from Asia to Europe from 20-22 knots to a 17?19 knot average speed and will go as low as 14?16 knots on the return eastbound trip to Asia.

A number of other carriers are adopting the same strategy, with the Grand Alliance EU 3 being the latest Asia-Europe string to add one week to its rotation.

A few long haul north-south services have also recently been slowed down.

Maersk has also adopted slow steaming on two north-south services operated jointly with Hamburg Süd, the USEC-ANZ OC 1/Trident service (now run with 10 ships) and the Far East-ECSA service (now run with 12 ships).

The trend will help to absorb excess capacity.