Indian shippers expect more sailing disruptions on weekly Europe connections. CMA CGM has announced three sailing omissions for Indian ports this month on its premier EPIC2 [Europe-Pakistan-India-Consortium] Service, operated jointly with Hapag-Lloyd. The latter markets it as the Indian Ocean Service (IOS).
The eight-vessel EPIC2/IOS has three port calls out of West India, such as Nhava Sheva/Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Mundra and Hazira.
“CMA CGM would like to inform customers that due to huge vessel delays upcoming EPIC-2 vessels will have the following recovery plan: TSINGTAO EXPRESS to omit Karachi & Nhava Sheva + Hazira; KYOTO EXPRESS to omit Mundra, restrict short-leg cargo + omit Hazira; and SOFIA EXPRESS to omit Karachi & Nhava Sheva + Hazira,” the French liner stated. “Customers are requested to plan the shipments [accordingly].”
As a consequence of such schedule readjustments/disruptions, shippers inevitably face considerable challenges planning their export shipments with any sense of certainty and could also end up being penalised for any eventual booking cancellations.
