Swire drops trade lane after 100 years, ends Eastabout Round-the-World

SWIRE Shipping's Eastabout Round-the-World Service, using four 1,800-TEU ships, will come to an end because of the prolonged global economic downturn.

"Swire Shipping is very sad to be exiting this trading lane after more than 100 years, but in the current economic climate, and with rapidly increasing bunker costs, this service is no longer a viable option," said the company statement.

The final sailing of the Pacific Makassar from Jakarta will be on June 23, and from Houston on August 26, reported American Shipper. The company also said the previously announced multipurpose Europe-Pacific service has been withdrawn.

The company added that vessels required to carry specialised cargo are no longer available for deployment.

This follows June 18 report that Swire's Eastabout Round the World monthly multipurpose service had started doubling-back via the Cape of Good Hope, sailing directly from Singapore and Jakarta to the east coast of North America.

The Eastabout Round the World service port rotation was: New Orleans, Freeport, Houston, St John, Camden, Leghorn, Jeddah, Gizan, Dammam, Jebel Ali, Nhava Sheva, Singapore, Jakarta, Camden and New Orleans.

(Source: News and Data Online)