Having dropped Southampton for Felixstowe in 2010, Maersk Line is to return as part of its re-configuration of 2M rotations with alliance partner Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC).

Retaining a Felixstowe call, Maersk's Asia-Europe AE9 service will dock at DP World Southampton with Med calls along the way.

The 2M partners are ending vessel sharing agreements with other carriers and the old CMA CGM deal covering Southampton for Maersk has been terminated.

Sources told Lloyd's List that customers requested that Maersk Line maintain a call at Southampton and therefore it decided to add the port to the rotation.

Four of the six Asia-north Europe services Maersk will offer next year have calls in the UK with Felixstowe featuring in all and Southampton on just one.