CONTSHIP, P&O NEDLLOYD PREPARE TO REVAMP AUSTRALIAN SERVICES

CONTSHIP, P&O NEDLLOYD PREPARE TO REVAMP AUSTRALIAN SERVICES    Contship Containerlines, P&O Nedlloyd and future partners are preparing to revamp their respective Europe/Australia/New Zealand and U.S. East Coast/Australia/New Zealand services following the introduction of new large containerships.
   The “Contship Aurora,” one of three new ships being introduced by Contship in the Europe-Australasia trade, will enter service on Sept. 16. P&O Nedlloyd has also ordered four 4,100-TEU for its Australia/New Zealand services.
   Contship said that five Australia/New Zealand existing services from Europe or the U.S. will be replaced by “two contra-rotating round-the-world strings” following the retonnaging and merger of the services. Both strings will operate on a fixed day weekly schedule, one sailing eastbound the other westbound.
   The “eastbound string” will sail out from Europe to Australasia via the Suez Canal, and continue via the Panama Canal to the U.S. East Coast. In total, 10 new ships of 4,100 TEUs operated by Contship and its partners in the trade will be deployed in this service.
   The “westbound string” of Australia/New Zealand services will sail from Europe to the Pacific Islands and Australasia via the Panama Canal, returning via South East Asia and the Suez Canal. Twelve ships of 2,200-TEU average capacity will be deployed in this string.
   The large reefer capacity of the new ships — 1,300 reefer plugs — will significantly enhance Contship’s ability to carry temperature-sensitive cargoes, the carrier said.
   Final port rotations for each string are still being concluded. Contship said that further announcements will be made soon. CMA CGM and Hamburg Sud/Columbus Line are likely to be part of the future merged Australia/New Zealand services of Contship and P&O Nedlloyd.