GAC husbands Maersk ships in Hong Kong

Maersk Line has appointed marine services provider GAC to provide husbandry services to its containerships calling at the port of Hong Kong.    Maersk Line has appointed marine services provider GAC to provide husbandry services to its containerships calling at the port of Hong Kong.
   Under the two-year contract, which started July 1, GAC will handle more than 1,000 calls by Maersk Line and MCC vessels per year at all ports and terminals in Hong Kong.
   Hong Kong ranked as the world’s fourth largest container port with a throughput of 22.3 million TEUs in 2014. In 2015, however, container throughput declined by double digits year-over-year in March alone. GAC noted the port’s handling capacity has been impacted by the increased deployment of ultra-large containerships and a rise in river barge traffic.
   Thomas Okbo, GAC Hong Kong’s managing director, said he’s optimistic that Hong Kong’s container throughput will rebound soon.
   “Hong Kong will continue to be one of the world’s thriving container ports,” Okbo said in a statement. “With enhanced port handling capacity, I expect the throughput to turn around, which will in turn boost the demand for our shipping services.”