Safmarine Container Lines are to expand the box services they operate in conjunction with Maersk Line on a new route for freight between Western Europe and Sri Lanka, India and Oman. The service has been christened PRIME 2 and will deploy seven Panamax size vessels with an average capacity of 3,550 TEU.

Both companies are part of the A.P.Moller Maersk group and already cooperate on the PRIME 1 and 3 cargo routes which Safmarine say will be complimented by the new service. The first Westbound sailing will commence with the Maersk Miami's voyage, estimated sailing date from Chennai on the 14th March. The Eastbound service begins on approximately the 7th March ex Zeebrugge aboard the Jervis Bay.

PRIME 2's Port rotation is as follows: Chennai (India) - Colombo (Sri Lanka) - Salalah (Oman) - Zeebrugge (Belgium) - Felixstowe (United Kingdom) - Rotterdam (Netherlands) - Bremerhaven (Germany) - Salalah (Oman) - Colombo (Sri Lanka) - Chennai (India)

Safmarine's trade director Kris Van Den Brande commented:

"PRIME 2 offers our customers increased reliability with a unique direct connection between the main European ports and Chennai. Cargo transit times are improved by an average of four days from Chennai to Zeebrugge and Felixstowe, with an average of 22 days' transit time from Rotterdam to Chennai. Increased flexibility is offered with an additional Salalah call westbound that will improve transit times to and from Pakistan. The call in Colombo will serve as transhipment hub for Bangladesh and South Indian Ports, and it will also be catering for the local Sri Lankan market".