Persistent weather disruptions and prolonged berth delays at the Port Elizabeth Container Terminal have prompted Maersk to remove the port call from its X4A (ASAS) service with immediate effect.
The shipping line said ongoing operational challenges at the terminal had significantly affected the service schedule over the past few months and continued to undermine schedule reliability across the wider service.
Maersk had introduced additional operational buffers in an effort to maintain the Port Elizabethcall, but recurring delays and last-minute omissions continued to create uncertainty for customers, it said.
The carrier said removing the call would support improved schedule reliability and service consistency across the X4A service.
Export cargo from Port Elizabeth may now be routed through alternative Maersk services and transshipment solutions, subject to operational requirements and available capacity.
Customers with existing bookings affected by the change would be contacted directly with updated routing and shipment information where required, Maersk said.
The carrier's commercial and customer experience teams will also work with customers to identify alternative transport solutions based on their supply chain requirements.
