Eagle is Landing for Contship Containerlines

Contship Containerlines will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Eagle service between Europe and Australasia, by retiring the "Eagle" service brand name and strengthening the operation by incorporating it into the impending reconfiguration of its services in this trade. Contship Containerlines' Eagle service first started in May 1982 with a direct link between Mediterranean ports and Australia. In 1983, the service was expanded to include direct calls in the UK and Northern Europe. In 1985, six new vessels were introduced and the rotation was expanded to include ports in the Far East. By 1991, seven new vessels of 1600 teu capacity replaced the previous tonnage and Noumea was introduced into the schedule. Throughout the 1990s, the Eagle service was upgraded and is currently served by six 2800 teu vessels, providing a weekly frequency for shippers in all markets (in conjunction with Contship Containerlines' Eastabout, Mediterranean and Round-the-World services - service brands which will similarly disappear). The impending upgrade of its various services in the Europe-Australasia-Pacific Islands-North American trade will see two contra-rotating round-the-world strings both operating to fixed-day weekly schedules, one sailing Eastbound, the other Westbound. The Eastbound string, which will include the Eagle service, will be supported by ten new 4100 teu ships, three of which are being provided by Contship Containerlines. On the Westbound string, 12 ships of 2,200 teu average capacity will be deployed in this string with three provided by Contship. Comments David J Halliday, Senior Vice President of CP Ships' Australasia and Asia Business Unit: "with repeat awards for schedule reliability and fast transit times, the Eagle service has been a landmark operation for Contship Containerlines over the last 20 years; one in which we have a great track record for investment. "Now, with the impending introduction of a new service portfolio that will offer shippers even faster transit times and guaranteed fixed-day weekly sailings in all markets served, it's time to let Eagle take a well earned roost." Final port rotations for each string of the new service portfolio are being finalized. The Eastbound string will sail from Australasia to the U.S. East Coast and Europe via the Panama Canal, returning from Europe to Australasia via the Suez Canal. The Westbound string will sail from the Pacific Islands and Australasia to Europe via South East Asia and the Suez Canal, returning to the Pacific Islands via the U.S. East Coast and the Panama Canal.