Maersk announces withdrawal from operations at Port of Felixstowe
6 hours ago
Maersk announces withdrawal from operations at Port of Felixstowe
Maersk Redirects Larger Vessels from Port of Felixstowe to London Gateway Starting February
Global shipping giant Maersk has announced it will no longer route its larger vessels through the Port of Felixstowe as part of its Asia-Europe shipping network. Starting February, the company will shift these operations to the London Gateway port on the Thames estuary in Essex.
This decision follows a comprehensive review under the Gemini Co-operation, a joint network optimization initiative with Hapag-Lloyd. Maersk explained that London Gateway was deemed "the most optimal port to serve our customers" importing and exporting goods to and from the UK.
While Felixstowe will no longer feature in Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd’s shared Gemini network, the company clarified that its smaller vessels and independently operated services outside the Gemini agreement will continue to call at Felixstowe.
Although Maersk has not detailed the exact impact on the number of ships docking at Felixstowe, reports indicate the port may see a reduction of about two large vessels weekly. Felixstowe, renowned for its ability to accommodate the world’s largest container ships, will remain an essential player for smaller vessels and other shipping lines.
This change coincides with a £1 billion expansion plan for London Gateway, which opened in 2013 and has rapidly gained prominence as a major logistics hub.
Local and Industry Reactions
Jenny Riddell-Carpenter, Labour MP for Suffolk Coastal, acknowledged the news as disappointing but emphasized the importance of maintaining Felixstowe’s global competitiveness. She stated, "It is one of the busiest ports in the UK... I’ll be doing everything I can to ensure it remains a global player."
The Suffolk Chamber of Commerce highlighted the need for improved rail and road infrastructure to sustain Felixstowe’s competitiveness amidst growing pressure from other ports.
Meanwhile, Ernst Schulze, Chief Executive of Ports and Terminals at DP World, praised the Gemini decision as evidence of London Gateway’s advanced logistics capabilities, operational reliability, and adaptability.
Felixstowe’s operator, Hutchison Ports, has yet to comment on the development.
Source: BBC