Maersk: ‘slow steaming is here to stay?

Maersk: æSlow steaming is here to stayÆ    Containerships will continue to operate at slower speeds even as the economy improves, Maersk Line said in an article for its weekly newsletter.
   'Maersk Line will continue slow steaming even as market conditions turn to the better '– slow steaming is here to stay,' says Morten Engelstoft, chief operational officer.
   Maersk said in 2007 it began slow steaming, a practice that “involves a vessel operating at lower-than-average speeds at different legs along a route. Doing this gives our vessels more flexibility, ensuring that they stay on time by enabling them to speed up or slow down as needed.
   “Of the top 20 carriers (in terms of capacity), Drewry has ranked Maersk Line No. 1 in on-time delivery in eight out of the last nine quarters. Slow steaming has been critical in improving our performance in this area. By improving schedule reliability, slow steaming helps to ensure that our customers' products arrive at their destination on time.”
   Maersk also said slow steaming has helped reduce carbon dioxide emissions per container by 12.5 percent from 2007 to 2009, and it is aiming for a total reduction of 25 percent by 2020.
   “Slow steaming will be key in reaching this target,” the company said.