Maersk sends ships through Suez again
SHIPPING: The high price on oil combined with the lack of containers in Asia forces Maersk Line to send their ships through the Suez Canal once again when going east. But when the peak season has passed, Maersk will again consider they want to use the canal.
"We are disappointed that we have not reached a dialogue with the Suez Canal on the tariffs, but we have created two services through the Suez Canal in spite of this", says operations manager of Maersk Line Morten Engelstoft to RB-Borsen.
Two things cause the decision.
"Firstly, the bunker price has increased considerably, but the present price level is not the only reason. We are getting closer to the peak season of Asia and it is therefore necessary for us to evacuate our empty containers from the Eastern Mediterranean", says Morten Engelstoft to the bureau.
Even though bunker prices are staying high, it is not certain that Maersk Line will keep the two services through the canal.
"With the current pricing (for sailing through Suez, ed.), we will evaluate whether the services are continued after the peak season. At that point, the bunker prices will be decisive, but also the tariff on sailing through Suez will have an influence", says the operations manager.
Source: maritimedanmark.dk
