Maersk cuts Asia/Middle East capacity

Maersk cuts Asia/Middle East capacity    Maersk Line will over the next two months downgrade the capacity on an Asia/Middle East service it operates, according to research by American Shipper American Shipper affiliate ComPair Data.
   The Danish line is transitioning in smaller vessels on the FM1 service, on which Maersk subsidiary Safmarine takes slots. The service, which until recently was operated with seven vessels of 8,500 to 9,200 TEUs, will by the end of June be operated with seven vessels of 5,000 to 6,300 TEUs. All vessels are provided by Maersk.
   The rotation, which will remain unchanged, is Xingang, Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, Hong Kong, Yantian, Tanjung Pelepas, Jebel Ali, Dammam, Bandar Abbas, Singapore and Xingang.
   Meanwhile, another Asia/Middle East service in which Maersk buys slots has recently increased capacity.
   The KMS service operated by Hyundai Merchant Marine and Hapag-Lloyd has seen its vessel size increase from six 3,600- to 4,400-TEU vessels to six 5,500- to 6,400-TEU ships. Hyundai provides five of the vessels and Hapag-Lloyd one, with MOL, Maersk and TSK Lines buying slots.
   Rotation is Gwangyang, Busan, Shanghai, Ningbo, Keelung, Hong Kong, Yantian, Singapore, Port Klang, Jebel Ali, Bandar Abbas, Karachi, Singapore, Hong Kong and Gwangyang.