The world's largest container shipping company Maersk Line has signed a new ten-year agreement with the UK's Port of Felixstowe, giving it priority access to berths for its long-haul services at the port's Trinity Terminal.
Fruitnet.com understands the deal, which is due to come into effect this August following delivery of new quayside cranes, includes guarantees that port workers will be made available to discharge Maersk ships as soon as they arrive, as well as promises of improvement to loading and unloadingtimes.
The contract is being seen by leading commentators as a strategic move designed to ensure berthavailability in a market where ports are struggling to cope with huge demand, the result being that vessels are often kept waiting on arrival in ports.
The agreement between Maersk Line and Hutchison Ports, which owns the Port of Felixstowe, was welcomed by DougBannister, managing director of Maersk Line UK and Ireland.'Maersk Line has an unrivalled global network and we strive forunmatched reliability. This new agreement with the Port of Felixstowemeans we have capacity guaranteed, giving us greater control over theoperation of our vessels. Greater operational control for us meansgreater reliability for our customers,' he said.
In a statement, Maersk Line said the new deal 'recognised the importance of joint co-operation in the shipping industry and reflected both companies' commitment to long-term planning in the UK.'
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