New shipping service to offer faster access to Mediterranean, Africa

Maersk Line, the world's largest container shipping company, has launched a new service that connects Dublin and Liverpool with the Mediterranean and North Africa.

The Irish sea service, which is to be operated by Maersk's subsidiary, Seago Line, is to commence in April. The new service will offer 6-days transit time between Algeciras, in the south of Spain, with Liverpool and 7-days between Algeciras and Dublin.

The new service is the first time Maersk has operated from the Irish capital although it does offer a Latin American service to Cork.

"This service is a positive addition to our current portfolio. The Irish Sea feeder offers flexibility to customers in and around the Liverpool area. It is also a major change for our Irish customers, who will now receive a faster and direct product to better serve their import and export needs," said Brian Godsafe, managing director at Maersk Line UK and Ireland.

Dublin Port Company chief executive Eamonn O’Reilly welcomed the service.

“ Following 6.4 per centgrowth last year, our container volumes continue to grow and these new services from Maersk Line will provide much needed additional capacity for Ireland’s importers and exporters,” he said.