Maersk Line is transforming its Asia – US East Coast TP12 service via the Suez Canal into a round-the-world voyage.

The new TP12 service will sail from Asia via the Pacific and transit the expanded Panama Canal calling east coast US ports before returning to Asia via the Suez Canal.

Maersk will deploy eleven 8,500 teu vessels on the new TP12 service, which would have been too large to transit the old Panama Canal.

“We are changing our TP12 service to provide a better product to shippers in Korea, Northern and Eastern China. By transiting the expanded Panama Canal, we will significantly reduce transit times into key ports on the US East Coast,” said Klaus Rud Sejling, head of east – west network, Maersk Line.

“At the same time, we will reduce our CO2 and exhaust gas emissions due to the shorter distance.”

Source: seatrade-maritime.com