Business boost for port

BRITAIN'S biggest port today gained a business boost as it welcomed the first call of a new regular service.The CMA CGM Tulip, which carries 2,800 standard-sized containers, was the first vessel to call on the EPIC 2 (Europe Pakistan India Consortium) service.

BRITAIN'S biggest port today gained a business boost as it welcomed the first call of a new regular service.

The CMA CGM Tulip, which carries 2,800 standard-sized containers, was the first vessel to call on the EPIC 2 (Europe Pakistan India Consortium) service.

A total of six ships will work on the route, four provided by CMA CGM and one each provided by the other partners, Hamburg Sud and Hapag Lloyd.

The service will run weekly out of Felixstowe, and will take six weeks to complete its rotation. The CMA CGM Tulip's will arrive back in Felixstowe on February 23.

Chris Lewis, chief executive officer of Hutchison Ports (UK) Limited, owners of the Port of Felixstowe, said: “It is a source of great pride for us that the Port of Felixstowe has been chosen as the UK port of call for the EPIC 2 service.

“It will enhance and strengthen Felixstowe's already extensive links with the fast-growing markets of the Middle East and India. It is important that we continue to offer a wide range of carriers and services to UK importers and exporters.”

Other ports on the service will be Rotterdam, Hamburg, Le Havre, Alexandria, Suez, Karachi, Mundra, Nhava Sheva, Suez, and Malta.