Maersk launches direct service between Latin America and the Black Sea

Monday, 5 September 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Maersk Line has announced the launch of ECUMED, the weekly liner service connecting Ecuador directly with Spain, Turkey and the Black Sea.

ECUMED will provide the fastest transit time in the market along with the best in class reefer facilities and schedule reliability.

“Investment in the new ECUMED service has been motivated by customers demand for reliable, fast and high quality refrigerated transportation of fruits, especially bananas, from Ecuador to the Mediterranean and Black Sea,” says Anders Koksbang, Vice President, Maersk Line.

“Compared to other services in the market this will be a direct service without transshipment, ensuring high reliability for our customers and thus a higher safety and quality of the fruit to be delivered to the end consumer in Europe/Russia,” he says.

Globally, Maersk Line has consistently captured top spots for schedule reliability and this will also be a trade mark for ECUMED. The service will deploy 8 x 2500 TEU vessels with the following rotation:

Guayaquil – Balboa – Manzanillo – Algeciras – Izmit Korfezi – Ambarli – Novorosiysk– Odessa – Ambarli – Izmit Korfezi – Algeciras – Balboa– Guayaquil

ECUMED Service Highlights:

=Fastest and first direct service from Ecuador to Black Sea

=Best in class reefer carrier with 600 plugs

=Extensive feeder coverage connecting all of the Mediterranean

=Connecting most Mediterranean ports to Latin America

=Attractive alternative to conventional ships which traditionally has served this market

The first westbound call for the service is from Algeciras, Spain on 25 September with NedLloyd Juliana and the first eastbound call for the service is from Guayaquil, Ecuador on 4 October with Maersk Nottingham.