Hapag-Lloyd, Arkas Line launch new Med-Black Sea service

The liner carriers will commence a weekly loop between Egypt, Israel, Turkey and Black Sea ports next month.    Liner carriers Hapag-Lloyd of Germany and Arkas Line of Turkey will launch a weekly service between Egypt, Israel, Turkey and ports in the Black Sea next month.
   The loop will have a rotation of Damietta, Port Said (East), Ashdod, Istanbul (Mardas and Marport), Novorossiysk, Odessa, Constantza, Istanbul, Izmit, Izmir and Damietta, Hapag-Lloyd said.
   Hapag-Lloyd will refer to the service as the Black Sea Mediterranean Express Service (BMX), while Arkas Line will refer to it as the East Med/Black Sea Service (EBS).
   Commencing Feb. 16 from Damietta, the BMX/EBS will operate with three vessels with a nominal capacity of 1,700 TEUs.
   A spokesperson from Hapag-Lloyd told American Shipper that it will jointly operate the loop with Arkas Line. The German carrier will provide one vessel, while The Turkish carrier will provide the additional two vessels. The spokesperson also said the BMX/EBS will transport a lot of transshipment cargo from the Black Sea region that is destined for North America.