Maersk slows Horn of Africa loop

   The ocean carrier Maersk Line has added a sixth vessel to its weekly Horn of Africa service between Southeast Asia and the Middle East and East Africa, increasing roundtrip voyage time from 35 days to 42 days. 
   Transit times in both directions on the service have been increased by a few days, now taking 18 days from Maersk’s mega-regional hub in Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia to Djibouti, and 22 days on the return voyage. 
   The rotation of the Horn of Africa loop remains Tanjung Pelepas, Dubai, Djibouti, Jeddah, Port Sudan, and Tanjung Pelepas. The service is currently operated by six vessels with an average capacity of 2,281 TEUs, and subsidiary Safmarine continues to take slots. 
   In addition to the Horn of Africa, Maersk operates seven other direct weekly services connecting Asia with ports in Africa. Only the carrier’s Mashariki Express service, however, likewise connects Tanjung Pelepas with ports in East Africa. – ComPair Data, Ben Meyer