Global container shipping consortium ‘THE Alliance’ has announced that all of its mainline UK calls will be handled by DP World, the Dubaibased global ports and logistics services company.
The consortium of container shipping lines – which comprises Hapag Lloyd, K-Line, MOL, NYK Line and Yang Ming – will bring vessels on its FE1, FE2 and FE4 services into DP World Southampton and those on FE3 and FE5 into DP World London Gateway, all of which link Asia and Europe.
Vessels deployed on the consortium’s transatlantic AL3, AL4 and AL5 services, will call at DP World Southampton while those on AL1 and AL2 will call into DP World London Gateway.
The FE3 and FE5 will be the first regular Asia-Europe services to call at DP World London Gateway.This means the port now offers the widest choice to shippers on North-South and East-West trade lanes.
The port is also integrated with DP World London Gateway Logistics Park, which provides nearly one million square metres of supply chain and distribution space for retailers and logistics firms, such as Lidl and UPS, who are already on site.
The multimodal port and Logistics Park combination offers customers a unique opportunity to optimise efficiency and flexibility within their global supply chains.
New distribution facilities at the Logistics Park are available for immediate occupation and planning consent for new development, including build-to-suit, is pre-approved under the Logistics Park's Local Development Order. This ensures planning consent can be granted within 28 days - the fastest possible in the UK.
Confirmation from ‘THE Alliance’ that new Asia-Europe and transatlantic services are to begin calling at DP World London Gateway has triggered a separate announcement by DP World that it will formally open its third berth for full operations at the end of March.
Berth 3 provides additional capacity for shipping lines and cargo owners, such as those in the retail, engineering and automotive sectors and will ensure DP World continues to provide a world-class service to its global supply chain customers.
DP World Southampton container terminal will now be the only port to handle vessels operated by ‘The Alliance’, ‘Ocean Alliance’ and ‘2M’ alliance – the three major container shipping line consortia.
Both DP World Southampton and DP World London Gateway are linked to an unrivalled global shipping network, providing competitive shipping options to all corners of the globe. The unmatched geographical location, excellent road and rail connectivity of both terminals – plus their outstanding productivity levels and resilience to bad weather – help make the UK more competitive for importers and exporters.
Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, CEO and Chairman, DP World, said: “This is a strong endorsement of UK industry. We are proud that ‘THE Alliance’ has chosen to make all of its UK calls at DP World terminals from April and we strongly believe that DP World in the UK is best placed to offer the consortium and its customers the very best service.
“DP World is the only operator in the UK to provide two deep-water facilities. Both terminals can provide operational back up to each other and reduce the risk of delays to the supply chain - no other operator in the UK can do this.
“Never before has moving goods from A to B been so demanding. Retailers and manufacturers depend on swift, slick, efficient, reliable and highly complex supply chains. At DP World, we recognise that we are an integral part of that supply chain. In the UK, our customers now have the choice of two deep-water ports, operated by one company, providing them with multiple benefits to their UK supply chain.”
Chris Lewis, UK Managing Director, DP World and CEO, DP World London Gateway, said: “For three years, DP World London Gateway has been going from strength-to-strength, winning numerous North-South services, handling a large number of ad-hoc Asia-Europe vessels, increasing productivity and becoming more efficient. Meanwhile, DP World Southampton has consistently maintained its record as the UK’s best performing container terminal and increased its market share. DP World in the UK can and will make UK trade more efficient, more reliable and more secure.
“We are committed to providing all our customers, with the very best and highest standards of service, from reliability and security, to efficiency and safety.
“We are also looking forward to announcing the opening of Berth 3 at DP World London Gateway at the end of March, in time for ‘THE Alliance’s’ arrival. This third deep-water berth at the UK’s newest port, along with our three deep-water berths at DP World Southampton, offer more choice and more reliability for shippers.”
THE Alliance’ is expected to deploy 21,000 TEU (twenty foot equivalent boxes) vessels on its services when MOL’s new builds come into service this year which will see DP World in the UK handle the largest ships in the world.
Source: DP World