News / Strong demand sees carriers pile back capacity into east – west trades

© Michael Vi

Due to continued increased demand, THE Alliance is extending its Asia – North Europe ‘extra loader’ programme with an additional five weekly sailings through to the end of September.

Earlier this month THEA members advised shippers that they would introduce the weekly loop commencing this week, lasting for a “limited period of four weeks” and deploying vessels of between 6,000 teu – 10,000 teu.

The move, said Hapag-Lloyd, was in response to an “increasing volume upsurge from its customers” and was some ...