Maersk Sealand cuts Med/U.S./Canada capacity

Maersk Sealand cuts Med/U.S./Canada capacity

   Maersk Sealand is cutting capacity in the transatlantic trade by combining its “Med Express” and “Mediterranean and Gulf” services into a single loop.

   The “Med Express” and “Mediterranean and Gulf” loops have provided 2,300-2,500 TEUs in weekly capacity. A spokesman for Maersk Sealand was not available to comment on the extent and details of the capacity cuts.

   APL took space on the “Mediterranean and Gulf” loop and Hapag-Lloyd on both services.

   The Danish carrier’s rationalization move in the Atlantic trade follows the announcement last week that CP Ships is working on plans that might further tighten capacity. CP Ships-controlled Canada Maritime and Cast have started to trim capacity on the Montreal/northern Europe “route 3” service by introducing smaller ships.