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12 January 2024
Dear Customer,
We are writing regarding our earlier customer advisory on changes to our OC1 service via the Panama Canal. This updated advisory aims to clarify our new product, as we continue to review our network to ensure stability to our customers supply chain.
Based on current and projected water levels in Gatun Lake, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is implementing changes to the booking process to control the passages through the Panama Canal. Following a review of our OC1 service connecting the trade route between Oceania and Americas, we have made the decision to utilise the Panama Canal Railway to safeguard our customers supply chains. This decision follows evaluation of the current schedule impact from the delays at the Australian East Coast ports coupled with the modifications to the booking process of the Panama Canal.
OC1 Service to use Panama Canal Railway
The vessels that utilised the Panama Canal before, will now use the existing Panama Canal Railway to transport containers across Panama. The usage of the Panama Canal Railway is already a standard product for several other connecting services today, and we have confidence that OC1 cargo will continue to move seamlessly through Panama.
How this will impact your cargo moves
This service change is implemented to safeguard your supply chain. We understand that any delays to your cargo movements can impact your overall supply chain, and we are doing our utmost to take proactive action in our product design to minimise supply chain disruption.
Omittance on OC1 route:
To ensure cargo moves on time to current berthing windows in North America, the OC1 service will stop calling Cartagena, on the OC1 Northbound rotation. Customers with cargo to route through Cartagena will be served through alternate networks.
Our direct service from the US West Coast to Oceania (PANZ) is still operating weekly and can be utilized as an alternative to cargo commonly routed via the US East Coast.
We are working diligently to minimize any impacts on your supply chain, and we remain in close contact with the Panama Canal Authority to ensure that we can give you timely updates.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to your local Maersk teams, who can help advise on modified routes, delays, and solutions, regarding the Panama Canal.
Sincerely,
A. P. Moller - Maersk
Customer Advisory - Changes to the OC1 service: Panama Canal
10 January 2024
Dear customer,
Reflecting on the ongoing water situation in the Panama Canal, and the possible impacts on cargo movements, we wanted to inform you of changes to services, as well as what Maersk is doing to mitigate the situation.
Based on current and projected water levels in Gatun Lake, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has needed to make reductions to the amount and weight of vessels that can pass through the canal. Whilst we continue to work closely with the ACP, moderating and aligning our operations to fit the changes, we have made changes to services to ensure that our customers are impacted as minimally as possible.
A land bridge
To ensure that your cargo continues to move with as few delays as possible, we are amending our OC1 service, operating between Oceania and the Americas.
The vessels that utilised the Panama Canal before will now omit the Panama Canal and use a “land bridge” that utilises rail to transport cargo across the 80 km of Panama to the other side. This creates two separate loops, one Atlantic and one Pacific. Pacific vessels will turn at Balboa, Panama, dropping off cargo heading for Latin America and North America and picking up cargo heading for Australia and New Zealand. Atlantic vessels will turn at Manzanillo, Panama, dropping off cargo heading for Australia and New Zealand and picking up cargo heading for Latin and North America.
How this will impact your cargo moves
We understand that any delays to your cargo movements can impact your overall supply chain, and we are doing our utmost to ensure that any delays are as minimal as possible. We understand your need for further information to plan your future moves accordingly.
Northbound vessels:
On northbound vessels, there are no delays to cargo stopping in Philadelphia and Charleston.
Southbound vessels:
On southbound vessels, customers may experience some delays. Please contact your customer representative for further information on this and timeframes.
Omittance on OC1 route:
To ensure cargo moves on this route, we will be omitting Cartagena. Customers with cargo to route through Cartagena will be served through alternate vessels. Please contact your customer representative for further information on this.
We remain committed to serving your supply chain needs and will continue to operate the PANZ service from the US West Coast to Oceania to provide coverage from both coasts. Additionally, we will connect ports in the Gulf to the OC1 service in similar ways to today.
We are working diligently to minimise any impacts to your supply chain, and we remain in close contact with the Panama Canal Authority to ensure that we can give you timely updates.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to your local Maersk teams, who can help advise on modified routes, delays, and solutions, regarding the Panama Canal.
Sincerely,
A. P. Moller - Maersk
A.P. Moller - Maersk Group, press release
