MOL’s transpacific on-time rate falls in 4Q

   The liner carrier MOL said Tuesday that its on-time arrival performance in the fourth quarter of 2012 fell on the transpacific and rose on Asia-Europe relative to third quarter.
   The percentage of on-time arrivals for Asia-U.S. West Coast services was 81 percent in the fourth quarter, compared to 87 percent in the second and third quarters. For Asia-U.S. East Coast services, the on-time rate in the fourth quarter was 73 percent, compared to 84 percent in the third quarter and 81 percent in the second quarter.
   Transatlantic on-time rates have also slipped in consecutive quarters, going from 97 percent in the second quarter, to 86 percent in the third, to 83 percent in the fourth.
   On the Asia-Europe trade, however, on-time percentage rose in the fourth quarter to both Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. From Asia to Northern Europe, it improved from 69 percent in the third quarter to 81 percent in the fourth. From Asia to the Mediterranean, it improved from 53 percent in the third quarter to 87 percent in the fourth.
   Ships under MOL’s operation saw declining on-time rates for all three trades in the fourth quarter.
   “While attempting to maintain last quarter’s performance level for overall and East Coast service, several weather interruptions on the U.S. East Coast (NYC Hurricane Sandy) resulted in reduced improvements in service and significant delays,” MOL said in a statement. “Berth congestion in Panama has also had some impact on East Coast services. All Asia-USWC services experienced heavy delays due to labor issues (port strike) on the U.S. West Coast as well as inclement weather while departing Asia and holiday productivity slow down in the U.S.
   “All transatlantic services were severely delayed due to inclement weather on the US East Coast (NYC Hurricane Sandy) as well as reduced labor output during the year-end holidays. Severe weather at some Asian ports (Shanghai and Ningbo Typhoons) affected the on time departure of Asia-EUR/MED vessels under MOL operation, resulting in heavy delays and congestion upon arrival at European ports.” – Eric Johnson