The marine solutions provider and part of DP World, P&O Maritime Logistics, is entering the container carrying market while it recently completed the first-ever container fitting modification to the deck of a multi-carrying vessel (MCV), aiming to help relieve the stretched supply chain.
By entering this new part of the maritime sector, P&O Maritime Logistics’ MCV fleet will be more flexible as it will have the ability to carry 20', 40' and 45' containers, providing a solution to the high demand for container carriers in Europe, which is anticipated to alleviate pressure on supply chains across the continent and worldwide.
"As global supply chains have been stretched in recent years, we are entering the container carrying market to help provide additional capacity in the lower-volume, higher-frequency routes," said Martin Helweg, CEO of P&O Maritime Logistics.
The new model of container carrying MCVs is ideal for lower volume, high-frequency shortsea routes as well as trade routes through rivers and shallow water ports, according to a statement, like the transit between Turkey and the Caspian via the Russian rivers, where multiple vessels are expected to be employed next year.
Hence, the containerised market entry comes off the back of P&O Maritime Logistics working with its customer and logistics provider Unifeeder to offer services on container routes with a small number of boxes, but with the aim of fast turnaround.
Helweg explained, "We’ll be working closely with our parent company DP World in rolling out of containerised service, beginning with fellow DP World-owned company shortsea feeder service provider, Unifeeder."
Currently, several MCVs are delivering wind turbine blades, large process modules, reactors, and pressure vessels on shortsea routes and in the Volga-Don Canal, with further deliveries expected in 2022, according to P&O Maritime Logistics.
"With five more vessels slated to enter the containerised market, we’ll soon be servicing niche trade lanes stretching from the Americas to Southeast Asia," noted Helweg.
