Maersk speeds up Asia-ISC CHX again

   After nearly two months on a six-week rotation, ocean carrier Maersk Line has increased the speed of its weekly Asia-to-East Indian CHX service, decreasing roundtrip voyage time from 42 days to 35 days. 
   Transit times eastbound from India to Maersk’s mega-regional hub in Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia, on the CHX remain roughly the same, but eastbound transit times from India to China have improved by about seven days as vessels will no longer slow steam one extra week between Tanjung Pelepas and Qingdao, China, on the return leg. 
   American Shipper reported Nov. 16 that the loop had slowed to a six-week roundtrip voyage time after nine months at regular speed. 
   The rotation of the CHX loop remains Qingdao, Xingang, Shanghai, Nansha, Tanjung Pelepas, Chennai, Vishakhapatnam, Tanjung Pelepas, and Qingdao. The service is currently operated by five Maersk vessels with an average capacity of 4,228 TEUs. Subsidiary Safmarine continues to purchase slots. 
   Maersk and Safmarine currently operate or take slots on a total of four other services with direct connections between Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. None of them, however, call at either Chennai or Vishakhapatnam. – BlueWater Reporting, Ben Meyer