UASC uses UAE`s Khor Fakkan, cuts direct India, Pakistan calls from AEC1

UASC has amended the port rotation of its mainline AEC 1 (Europe/Middle East/South Asia) service, by removing direct calls in India and Pakistan and instead will feed south Asia via its main hub at the Port of Khor Fakkan, UAE.

As a result of the move, the carrier will be able to complete the round voyage in 42 days as opposed to 49 days under the previous rotation, thereby cutting the seven 4,000-5,000-TEU fleet by one unit.


The new rotation will include calls at Antwerp, Thamesport, Hamburg, Rotterdam, Khor Fakkan, Jebel Ali, Jeddah, Port Said and return to Antwerp.


London`s Containerisation International noted that the service revamp has led to severe delays because of new equipment deliveries and terminal upgrades at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port near Mumbai, and has prompted several shipping lines, including UASC, to introduce congestion surcharges.