Maersk clarifies that Algeciras will remain a key port for its new Gemini network
The Danish shipping company downplays the importance of the change from Algeciras to Tangier Med on the India route and assures that it is still committed to the Spanish port
The Danish shipping company Maersk has responded to the controversy generated by the substitution of the port of Algeciras for Tangier Med on its route between India and the East Coast of the United States, and has assured that the Spanish port will continue to be key to its operations in the future.
- Commercial decisions
- Algeciras, absolute priority
- The ‘Network of the Future’
- Competitive disadvantage
Commercial decisions
In a statement issued by Maersk, the company explains that the change in its MECL service linking India with the Atlantic coast of the United States and which implies that its vessels will stop calling at Algeciras and call at Tangier Med ‘is due to preparations to change from its old 2M alliance to the future Gemini cooperation with the German transport company Hapag Lloyd.
According to Maersk, changes in the different services and ports of call, as has happened with Algeciras and Tangier Med, are common for shipping companies and are due to ‘commercial decisions’.
Algeciras, absolute priority
With regard to the port of Algeciras, the Danish shipping company has pointed out that the Andalusian port is an absolute priority for APM Terminals and a ‘key hub’ for the so-called ‘Network of the Future’ that they are going to set up A. P. Moller-Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd.
The statement highlights that the port of Algeciras continues to be visited by many mainline services on the East-West trade routes, including the largest vessels, with a capacity of 20,000 containers.
Furthermore, Maersk have valued the activity of the Spanish port and have underlined that ‘APM Terminals [the Transport and Logistics division of the Danish shipping company] greatly appreciates the professionalism and experience of its team and its results as a key transhipment hub in its network’.
The ‘Network of the Future’
The reorganisation of Maersk's routes, which has caused such a stir due to the replacement of Algeciras by Tangier Med, is due to the entry into operation, from 1 February, of the so-called ‘Network of the Future’, the result of the long-term cooperative collaboration signed with the German Hapag-Lloyd.
This agreement, called the Gemini Cooperation, envisages a reorganisation of the network with the aim of reducing its complexity. Thus, there will be fewer port calls per service and terminals with the highest level of productivity and operational efficiency will be incorporated.
The Network of the Future will consist of 29 main maritime services and an extensive network of inter-regional feeder services. It will cover the Asia/US West Coast; Asia/US East Coast; Asia/Middle East; Asia/Mediterranean; Asia/North Europe; Middle East-India/Europe; and Transatlantic trade areas.
Competitive disadvantage
In spite of Maersk's clarifications, concerns persist about the future activity of the Spanish ports, especially after the increase in costs for the shipping lines that the entry into force of the new European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) entails.
Precisely on this issue, the Andalusian Regional Government has spoken out through its spokesperson, Carolina España, who has called on the central government to put an end to the ‘flight of companies’ from our country, and to make use of ‘all the tools’ to avoid Spanish ports and companies being harmed by this competitive disadvantage compared with those outside the European Union.