Hapag-Lloyd to Improve Middle East Connections from Europe
Hapag-Lloyd will now be offering better connections from Europe to the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent.
A direction connection between North Europe and the Middle East will soon be offered via the new Indian Ocean Service 3 (IO3).
In addition, Hapag-Lloyd has reconfigured three of its liner services in this trade: the Indian Ocean Service (IOS), the Gulf East Mediterranean Service (GEM) and the Indian Subcontinent Mediterranean Express (IMX).
All services will be launched in January 2021.
Thanks to these adjustments to Europe-Middle East and Europe-Indian Subcontinent portfolio, Hapag-Lloyd’s customers will benefit from higher sailing frequencies and optimised direct connections.
Marc-Simon Vick, Senior Director Trade Management Middle East said: “These new services will enable us to offer our customers a more extensive range of connections to the main ports in this trade as well as short transit times from North Europe and the Mediterranean to and from the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent.”
Direct connection between North Europe and the Middle East: IO3 and IOS
The Indian Ocean Service 3 (IO3) and the Indian Ocean Service (IOS) will offer weekly sailings and be operated in partnership with CMA CGM, COSCO Shipping and ONE.
The services will consist of eight 8,500 TEU vessels each, with Hapag-Lloyd providing a total of seven ships.
More ships for the Gulf East Mediterranean Service (GEM)
Until now, the GEM has operated with six vessels. Going forward, it will consist of seven ships, each with a capacity of 9,000 TEU. This will significantly improve schedule reliability.
The service will have weekly sailings and be operated in partnership with CMA CGM and COSCO Shipping. Hapag-Lloyd will be providing three vessels.
Piraeus to be added to the Indian Subcontinent Mediterranean Express (IMX) service
The IMX will consist of eight 7,500 TEU vessels, four of which will be provided by Hapag-Lloyd. The service will also have weekly sailings and be operated in partnership with CMA CGM and COSCO Shipping.
