Grand Alliance's Asia/Europe routes bypass Suez for Cape of Good Hope

MEMBER lines of the Grand Alliance, which includes Hapag Lloyd, NYK Line, MISC Berhad and OOCL, will bypass the Suez Canal and sail around the Cape of Good Hope on the EU3 service between the Far East and North Europe, citing costs as the key factor.

Joining the ranks of carriers, Grand Alliance are opting for longer transit times to avoid high toll fees on the Suez and Panama canal which are difficult given the economic climate and are in direct response to cheap bunker fuel and poor ocean freights on return Asia routes.

According to a report from American Shipper the company was cited as saying: The Grand Alliance will consider rerouting more services if the overall economic situation does not improve.

The EU3 service uses 10 x 8,000-TEU with an additional seven days on transit rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope. The eastbound rotation will be: Southampton, Hamburg, Rotterdam, Port Klang, Singapore, Shekou, Hong Kong, Ningbo and Shanghai. Westbound transit will continue through the Suez Canal.

Source: Transportweekly