Lines divert after Suez fee-cut efforts fail

Maersk Line, which is already sending two of its services back from Europe to Asia via southern Africa, is planning a third deviation.

Its TP3 rotation that links the US east coast with Asia is to avoid the Suez Canal on the return leg, and instead go via the Cape of Good Hope in future.

The Danish line is one of several that have been lobbying the Suez Canal Authority to reduce its fees during the industry recession.

But so far, no concessions have been obtained.

A decision has been postponed twice so far, according  to Maersk Line chief executive Eivind Kolding, one of those who has personally tried to persuade the Egyptian authorities to reduce Suez Canal charges.

Container lines are still hopeful that rate concessions will be offered to reflect market conditions.

In the meantime, Mr Kolding said Maersk may decide to re-route westbound sailings from Asia to Europe around
Africa in addition to deviations on the return leg, where cargoes are less time-sensitive.

AP Moller-Maersk chief executive Nils Andersen and Mr Kolding flew to Cairo earlier in the year to urge the Suez Canal Authority to lower its charges.

Other industry bosses have made similar requests.

With the cost of sending a large containership through the canal totalling US$600,000 or more per transit, lines have found it makes economic sense to bypass the waterway and take the much longer route, even if that means slotting in an extra ship to maintain a weekly schedule.

Suez Canal traffic has also been hit by the growing threat of piracy off Somalia, forcing many other ship types to avoid the area and go round the Cape of Good Hope.