Bleak outlook for Asia-Europe ocean container sector

“We do not expect volume growth on the Asia-Europe trades this year so there is currently no need for the number of ships sailing”, said Vincent Clerc, Chief Trade & Marketing Officer for Maersk Line. “We expect a 3% slump on the Asia-Europe container trades for 2012 and are taking steps to adjust to this without reducing our market position”.

“Further to the 9% capacity reductions we made earlier this year, this brings the total capacity reduction in 2012 on Maersk Line’s Asia-Europe network to 21%”. 



The Maersk Line AE5 service, which currently operates eight vessels of 6,500 teu nominal capacity, will be closed with the last sailing departing Tanjung Pelepas on November 8, 2012.