The 2M Alliance – Maersk & MSC – have cut two services from Asia to the US West Coast due to the ongoing port congestion issues, in an attempt to improve overall service reliability.

The vessels used on the Transpacific pendulum services will be joining the Asia/Europe trade with immediate effect, due to “the recent unprecedented market situation with severe port congestion and equipment limitations across global supply chains”.

Vessels arriving at West Coast ports have been regularly waiting to unload for anywhere up to two weeks for a berth, which is having a major impact on schedules, and the 2M Alliance have decided this change was “critical to deliver improved schedule reliability”.

In some quarters, the move is regarded as opportunism, with a suggestion that the carriers are just deciding to put more volume on more profitable routes. It is possibly a combination of both as the waiting times outside of West Coast ports are real and the US transport issues are also contributing to the slow return of equipment for all trades.

The move will undoubtedly result in a reduction of available space on the Asia/US trade, and it remains to be seen whether there is any reflection in market rates over the coming weeks.

The Westbound team will continue to monitor developments and will keep you advised. Should you require any further information, then please do not hesitate to contact us.

At Westbound Logistics we pride ourselves in offering personalised and tailored logistics solutions. To find out more please call 01375 800800 or email info@westboundglobal.com.