2M Alliance prepares for Chinese New Year

Multiple 2M Alliance operated services will omit several port calls from Asia to North Europe and the Mediterranean during the traditional Chinese holiday season.    Multiple 2M Alliance operated services will omit several port calls from Asia to North Europe and the Mediterranean in conjunction with adding inducement calls, according to ocean carrier Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC). MSC is a partner in the 2M Alliance along with Danish ocean carrier Maersk Line, cooperating on the major east-west trade lanes.
   In the past, container carriers have generally chosen to skip entire sailings during the slack season leading up to the Chinese New Year, but this year the 2M Alliance members decided to sail vessels on their intended routes regardless of how many calls are omitted. Maersk and MSC declined to comment on this strategy when contacted by American Shipper.
   In week five:
     • The Swan Service, ETA Xingang Jan. 31, voyage FW605, will skip sailings from Xingang, Busan, Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian and Tanjung Pelepas to and via Southampton, Antwerp, Bremerhaven, Gothenburg and Aarhus; 
     • The Lion Service will induce Southampton on its westbound leg with the MSC Ariane (FL605W);
     • And Aarhus and Gothenburg will be served via feeder from the North West Continent.
   In week six:
     • The Lion Service, ETA Ningbo Feb. 10, voyage FL606, will skip sailings from Ningbo, Shanghai, Xiamen, Chiwan, Nansha, Yantian and Tanjung Pelepas to and via Sines, Antwerp, Hamburg, Wilhelmshaven and Rotterdam; 
     • The Shogun Service, ETA Kobe Feb. 9, voyage W606, will skip sailings from Kobe, Nagoya, Yokohama, Ningbo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Yantian and Tanjung Pelepas to and via Felixstowe, Rotterdam, Hamburg and Bremerhaven; 
     • The Silk Service will induce Sines on its westbound leg with the Mayview Maersk (FS606W);
     • The Swan Service will induce Hamburg on its westbound leg with the MSXC London (FW606W);
     • The Dragon Service, ETA Dalian Feb. 8, voyage FD606, will skip sailings from Dalian, Tianjin, Busan, Ningbo, Shanghai, Chiwan, Yantian, and Singapore to and via Port Said, Beirut, Gioia Tauro, La Spezia, Genova and Marseilles-Fos (Fos);
     • The Jade Service will induce Gioia Tauro and Marseilles-Fos (Fos) on its westbound leg with the MSC Capella (FJ606W);
     • And The Tiger Service will induce Beirut on its westbound leg with the MSC Danit (FT606W).
   In week seven:
     • The Albatross Service, ETA Dalian Feb. 13, voyage FB606, will skip sailings from Dalian, Busan, Qingdao, Ningbo, Shanghai, Xiamen, Yantian and Tanjung Pelepas to and via Le Havre, Rotterdam and Bremerhaven;
     • The Swan Service, ETA  Xingang Feb. 14, voyage FW607, will skip sailings from Xingang, Busan, Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian and Tanjung Pelepas to and via Southampton, Antwerp, Bremerhaven, Gothenburg and Aarhus;
     • The Silk Service will induce Le Havre on its westbound leg with the Morten Maersk (FS607W);
     • The Lion Service will induce Southampton on its westbound leg with the MSC Daniela (FL607W);
     • Aarhus and Gothenburg will be served via feeder from the North West Continent;
     • The Jade Service, ETA Qingdao Feb. 14, voyage FJ607W, will skip sailings from Qingdao, Busan, Ningbo, Shanghai, Xiamen and Singapore to and via Malta, Barcelona, Valencia and La Spezia;
     • And the Dragon Service will induce Malta on its westbound leg with the MSC Filomena (FD607W).
   In week eight:
     • The Lion Service, ETA Ningbo Feb. 24, voyage FL608, will skip sailings from Ningbo, Shanghai, Xiamen, Chiwan, Nansha, Yantian and Tanjung Pelepas to and via Sines, Antwerp, Hamburg, Wilhelmshaven and Rotterdam;
     • The Silk Service will induce Sines on its westbound leg with the Mary Maersk (FS608W);
     • The Dragon Service, ETA Dalian Feb. 22, voyage FD608W, will skip sailings from  Dalian, Tianjin, Busan, Ningbo, Shanghai, Chiwan, Yantian, and Singapore to and via Port Said, Beirut, Gioia Tauro, La Spezia, Genova and Marseilles-Fos (Fos);
     • The Jade Service will induce Gioia Tauro and Marseilles-Fos (Fos) on its westbound leg with the MSC Livorno (FJ608W);
     • And The Tiger Service will induce Beirut on its westbound leg with the MSC Ravenna (FT608W).