Shipping industry: New routes, major moves, big changes ahead
Major shift in Giant’s shipping line
Maersk is moving its biggest ships from the Port of Felixstowe to London Gateway starting in February. The company says London Gateway is a better fit for its customers after reviewing its Asia-Europe shipping routes. Felixstowe handles millions of
containers each year, including two of Maersk’s giant vessels weekly.
The decision has sparked concerns about jobs in trucking, warehousing, and logistics around Felixstowe. Some blame long-standing infrastructure problems, like road delays and limited rail links. Despite the change, there’s hope that other shipping
lines might step in to fill the gap and keep the local economy steady.
CMA CGM and COSCO’s new service:
Yangpu Port in Hainan, China, is launching a new shipping route to Thailand and Vietnam. The weekly service, run with CMA CGM and COSCO, will connect key ports like Shanghai, Ningbo, Laem Chabang, Haiphong, and Yangpu using three large container ships.
This new route is expected to boost trade between Yangpu and Southeast Asia, making it easier and faster to transport goods. Since Hainan’s Free Trade Port plan began in 2020, the region has made big strides toward becoming a global shipping
hub. This year, Yangpu saw solid growth, handling more cargo and containers than ever before.
Bookings started for much awaited Gemini Cooperation
Hapag-Lloyd have started taking bookings on December 3 for its new Gemini Cooperation service with Maersk, launching in February 2025. The service promises over 90% schedule reliability using a hub-and-spoke system and will include extra supply chain
services.
As part of the plan, cargo will shift from Felixstowe to London Gateway, which offers better rail connections and suits customer warehousing needs. While this approach targets premium cargo, simpler, direct services from rivals like MSC and Cosco
may remain more cost-effective. Some experts are cautious about whether Gemini’s ambitious goals can handle real-world challenges, with its success to be tested next year.
Philippine’s new container port:
Construction of the New Cebu International Container Port (NCICP) may finally begin after two decades of planning. The Philippines’ Department of Transportation aims to break ground on the $290 million project by year’s end, according
to Undersecretary Elmer Francisco Sarmiento.
The project, planned since 2002, faced delays until funding was secured in 2018. Last week, a civil works contract was awarded to Korea’s HJ Shipbuilding and Construction. Built on 25 hectares in Consolacion, Cebu, NCICP will feature a 500-meter
quay wall, four quay cranes, and key infrastructure. Completion is expected by 2028, with work set to start once the contract is signed.
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