From the Nautilus Telegraph:
Maersk Line has ruled out redundancies as part of its programme to return to profitability after clocking up losses of US$600m last year.Speaking in London, Maersk Line boss Soren Skou said job losses and fresh changes in crewing policies are not expected to figure in its drive to cut costs.
Instead, Mr Skou said, Maersk had cut deployed capacity on its weekly Asia-Europe services by 9.5% and could reduce its entire fleet by 9% this year by redelivering chartered vessels.
The company would also make more effective use of slow-steaming, by lowering variations in speed and bringing the whole fleet closer to an average of 18 knots. Maersk had also decided not to go ahead with options to order more of its Triple E ‘mega’ ships.
Mr Skou complained that rates in the liner trades were unsustainable and Maersk aimed to improve margins by getting rid of surplus capacity and offering a reliable, quality service.
He said no further changes in crewing strategy were planned, but admitted that the company was increasingly reliant upon seafarers from Asia, India and eastern Europe. Working at sea was no longer an ‘attractive proposition’ for young people from traditional maritime nations, he claimed.
Instead, Mr Skou said, Maersk had cut deployed capacity on its weekly Asia-Europe services by 9.5% and could reduce its entire fleet by 9% this year by redelivering chartered vessels.
The company would also make more effective use of slow-steaming, by lowering variations in speed and bringing the whole fleet closer to an average of 18 knots. Maersk had also decided not to go ahead with options to order more of its Triple E ‘mega’ ships.
Mr Skou complained that rates in the liner trades were unsustainable and Maersk aimed to improve margins by getting rid of surplus capacity and offering a reliable, quality service.
He said no further changes in crewing strategy were planned, but admitted that the company was increasingly reliant upon seafarers from Asia, India and eastern Europe. Working at sea was no longer an ‘attractive proposition’ for young people from traditional maritime nations, he claimed.
Comment