Maersk pulls out of Chinese ports

Although Maersk Line has
suspended calls at 10 Chinese
ports, it is not a change in its
China trade policy but rather a
cost-saving exercise.
Indeed, according to a
Maersk statement forwarded
to FTW by Arnold Eckersley,
southern Africa marketing
manager, it is also intended
to be a focus on the more
promising growth potential
of the alternative ports in
the same regions of the
country. And, sharing in
this growth, the line would
presumably hope to improve
its net income.
As the statement said: “The
purpose of the change is to
better allocate resources and
focus on the ports in which
we are able to create growth
opportunities and improve
the quality of service which
we provide.”
As a result, it has stopped
both import and export
shipments to and from
selected Chinese ports.
However, it noted that in most
cases it had alternative port
solutions that would allow the
cargo to reach its destination.
“The impact to the SA-Far
East service is therefore very
limited.”
CAPTION
Yangshan Port in Shanghai.