The first service will link Ashdod to the Russian port of Novorossiysk with a weekly sailing using a 900-TEU vessel. The rotation is Ashdod, Port Said, Novorossiysk and Ashdod.
The second service will connect to three Turkish ports using two 1,200-TEU vessels. The rotation is Ashdod, Haydarpasa, Izmit, Amberly and Ashdod.
Israeli maritime Web site Port2Port reported the new services last week, and the report was confirmed to American Shipper Wednesday by a Maersk spokesman in Denmark. In the Port2Port report, Maersk Israel Managing Director Steve Felder said the new services were launched following a strategic decision to increase Maersk’s market share in the Israeli market as well as consideration of the special needs of Israeli fresh produce exporters.
The new services will operate in combination with an existing shipping service running from Ashdod to Port Said, which connect to Europe to Far East and intra-Europe services, the Maersk spokesman said.
