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March 29, 2010
According to the latest Drewry Report on schedule reliability,
Maersk Line has reclaimed the position as number one on-time carrier, a
position held by Maersk Line in six out of the last seven quarters.
However, the punctuality still leaves a lot to be desired as Maersk Line
aims for 95% reliability over the next few years.
Drewry’s report on schedule reliability in the fourth quarter
of 2009 puts Maersk Line back in the lead as the most reliable carrier
among the world’s 20 largest shipping lines.
However, a reliability performance of 63% – a drop of 13
percentage points compared to the fourth quarter of 2008 – is not
satisfactory. There are some reasonable explanations to this though.
Tough weather conditions
The weather conditions in the end of the year are always
more challenging than for the rest of the year. The adverse weather in
the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans generated by the “el niño”
meteorological system caused Maersk Line’s schedule reliability to drop 8
percentage points to 63% in the fourth quarter of 2009, according to
the Drewry Report.
We can clearly see from the statistics that our competitors
are impacted from the adverse weather as well – in many cases more than
Maersk Line.
A reliable partner
Despite the fourth quarter drop, Maersk Line’s reliability
performance over the past two years outstrips all major rivals.
Ironically, vessel sharing agreements and slot charters are hampering
Maersk Line’s schedule reliability score while helping our partners to
improve theirs significantly.
“If we omit the effects of Vessel Sharing Agreements and slot
charters, our schedule reliability is actually 69% in the fourth quarter
of last year,” emphasises Andrea Valencia from Maersk Line’s Market
Intelligence department.
Super Slow value to customers
The Drewry Report also recognises the positive impact that
Super Slow Steaming has on reliability. The Strings on which Super Slow
Steaming is deployed show the highest schedule reliability performance.
“This enhances the Super Slow Steaming value proposition to our
customers while at the same time reducing our bunker consumption and
environmental impact,” says Asger S. B. Lauritsen, Head of Operations
Execution.
Looking forward, the Maersk Line’s ambition for reliability
extends much further than being number one. “Over the next few years, we
will strive to improve our reliability to at least 95%,” stresses
Lauritsen.
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