MEX service being retuned
The decision of Tokyo-headquartered Mitsui OSK Lines to join with its New World Alliance partners in a new Far East/western Mediterranean service means that it is resigning from the MEX operation, which is being revised as a consequence.
Currently, MEX is a joint operation of MOL, Hanjin and UASC, with Senator Lines buying space. It uses 7 x 2,700/3,100TEU ships, with MOL and Hanjin contributing two vessels each and UASC three units.
The shortfall in tonnage created by MOL’s departure has not yet been resolved, although Senator confirmed that it will not be a vessel provider in the service. It is also understood that MOL will leave its ships in the service until the end of May 2008, at least, thereby giving Hanjin and UASC time to sort out new charters and/or reassign owned ships from other routes to the trade.
UASC is in the midst of a significant fleet redeployment programme as it phases a series of 6,000TEU post-panamax ships into its Asia/Europe string.
Nonetheless, Senator is reaping significant rewards from the retuning of the MEX operation and will have access to considerably more slots. ‘Our allocation is set to almost double,’ said Antje Stephan, manager of the public relations dept,’ and this will allow us to better meet our customers’ needs.’
With container volumes shipped between the Far East and the Mediterranean up more than 20% last year, Hans-Hermann Mohr, ceo of Senator, sees the move as ‘being the right strategy in reacting to the strength in the market and in raising Senator’s share of it.’
The fixed-day of the week MIX service calls direct at Genoa, Fos, Valencia, Gioia Tauro, Jeddah, Khorfakkan, Singapore, Shanghai, Yantian, Singapore and return to Genoa.