Europe West Indies Lines changing U.K. port

Europe West Indies Lines changing U.K. port

   Dutch shipping company Europe West Indies Lines is switching the United Kingdom port call on its Europe/Canada/Caribbean and Central America 'Mainliner' service from Felixstowe to Thamesport to maintain a weekly sailing pattern.

   The Rotterdam-based carrier said it has experienced major delays with berthing vessels at Felixstowe since early March when new cranes being carried on board the Chinese ship Zhen Hua 23 fell on two land-side cranes in the Landguard Terminal during strong winds.

   The first vessel to make the switch will be the EWL Central America due in Thamesport on April 29. Cargo currently at Felixstowe for that vessel will be shipped on the EWL Curacao to Rotterdam for transshipment to the EWL Central America.

   'Future vessels will continue to call Thamesport on our weekly schedule until we have confirmation from Felixstowe Port that normal berthing can be accommodated,' the carrier's U.K. agency said.

   Scottish shippers have been advised not to send cargo to Felixstowe or Thamesport, as the company is now utilizing Greenock Port with a feeder operation sailing every Tuesday that connects with the Mainliner vessels in Bilbao. 'This operation ensures no loss of transit time to your deep sea destination.'

   The Mainliner service uses seven ships with an average container capacity of 1,100 TEUs. The revised port rotation will be Dublin, Felixstowe, Thamesport, Le Havre, Bilbao, Halifax, St Maarten-Philipsburg, Bridgetown, Port of Spain, La Guaira, Puerto Cabello, Cartagena, Santa Marta, Santo Tomas de Castilla, Big Creek, Santo Tomas de Castilla, Puerto Cortes and back to Dublin.