Maersk Line has unveiled its seasonal capacity provision and other planned network developments for the Asia to Europe, Europe to Middle East and South Asia, and Asia to Middle East trades.

The liner will implement a measured withdrawal of 2500 FFE per week from its network, while also expanding the use of eco speeding to reduce fuel intake and CO2 emissions on its main services.

These actions are expected to be in place for six months, effective at the end of November 2009.

Maersk will add Middle East port calls to its Asia Europe services, including the AE7 (add Salalah to West Med and Northern Europe) and the AE1 eastbound (new connections from Northern Europe to Jebel Ali and Jebel Ali to Asia).

Combined with various other port calls, these new calls will widen Maersk's coverage of the Middle East starting in mid-December 2009.

The ME3 service, covering Mediterranean - South Asia - Middle East, will be withdrawn temporarily. It will continue to provide services to and from Middle East ports via a combination of our AE1, AE6, AE7, AE11 and ME1 services. These changes will amount to a withdrawal of 2500 FFE capacity per week from its network.

While making the changes, Maersk will move its Asia Europe services to the next stage of eco-speeding, meaning reductions in fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions.

Container shipping is the most fuel-efficient means of cargo transportation, according to the Network of Transport and Environment, and Maersk Line is at the forefront of developments in this area.

Maersk Line first introduced slower sailing speeds to its Asia Europe network in February 2008, and has been making steady progress ever since.

Starting at the end of November 2009, all westbound sailings from Asia to Europe will move from 20-22 kn (knots) to 17–19 kn average speed. This will be combined with 14–16 kn speeds eastbound to offer best-in-class network coverage and an improved carbon footprint.

Maersk said the speed change will add 1 or 2 days’ transit time to westbound legs, depending on the service. However, Maersk's transit times will remain competitive and will continue to lead the market in schedule reliability.