Maersk Group’s first ever direct service to Dublin Port, was realised yesterday as the 1,058TEU containership Antwerp berthed Tuesday morning.

The new service operated by Maersk subsidiary, Seago Line improves the connections between the UK, Ireland 'feeder-service' to and from the Spanish hub port of Algeciras. This enables Seago customers to have transhipment services to ports in North Africa and the Mediterranean.

Maersk First As Containership Antwerp Launches Direct Call to Dublin Port

Containership Antwerp Image: Manuel Hernandez Lafuente

Antwerp of 14,093 tonnes had arrived from Liverpool’s Royal Seaforth Dock terminal having discharged and loaded containers on the first leg of the liner service that began at the southern Spanish port.

The 155m long Antwerp is alongside the MTL Peel Ports Terminal located at Dublin’s south bank quays. The UK based Peel Group operates the Port of Liverpool, which also welcomed the first call by the Maersk Group on the Mersey after an absence of more than a decade.

The new service will offer 6 days transit time between Algeciras and Liverpool and 7 days between Algeciras and Dublin.

The new Irish service will supplement an existing Latin American service to Cork. Last month the Northern Dedication of 35,975 tonnes became the largest ever containership to dock at Ringaskiddy Terminal.

The 230m long vessel is operated by sister carrier Maersk Line to provide shippers with an alternative from the current feeder option from Rotterdam in Europe’s northern range.

As for the Antwerp, the vessel was completed in 1999 as the Maersk Antwerp however the Hong Kong flagged vessel was renamed in 2013. The vessel still retains this flag and port of registry of Hong Kong (China).

Source: Afloat