Maersk launches AE77, a weekly Asia – Southern Europe intermodal freight service

26 April 2021

The first containers coming from Asia on a new regular service AE77 arrived at the largest Russian port of Vostochny on Sealand vessels. — The first containers from China, Korea and Japan to the Black Sea and the East Mediterranean area crossed through Russia and completed the transit in about 25 days, increasing flexibility and reliability as an alternative to ocean routes.

Copenhagen, Denmark - The first containers coming from Asia on this new regular service arrived at the largest Russian port of Vostochny on Sealand vessels. On 22nd April, the containers were dispatched by train from the Russian VSC terminal (– part of Global Ports Inc.) to NUTEP terminal (– part of Delo Ports) at the port of Novorossiysk, also on Russia soil. From Novorossiysk, the cargo now resumes by sea to destinations in Ukraine and Turkey.

“The launch of AE77 is an important milestone in Maersk´s expansion of our transcontinental intermodal offering, combining rail and sea. The new route is an excellent alternative since our customers can be confident about fixed-day arrival and have full flexibility between various delivery options that best match their logistics needs,” explains Zsolt Katona, Head of Maersk Eastern Europe.

Like Maersk’s AE19 intermodal service from Asia to Northern Europe, this new AE77 service from Asia to the Black Sea and the East Mediterranean area uses the Trans-Siberian route. The largest part of the trip takes place across Siberia using the Russian railways’ infrastructure, arranged in cooperation with rail company Modul.

Our ultimate aim is offering our customers a reliable and flexible option, a service that runs without bottlenecks, and with fast transit times of about 25 to 30 days.

Zsolt Katona

Head of Maersk Eastern Europe

Given the increasing customer demand of these two services, A.P. Moller – Maersk has deployed an additional vessel between Busan, at the Southern part of the Korean peninsula, and Vostochny, the intermodal container port at the Eastern end of the Trans-Siberian Railway.

“Together with our partners we continue to launch new transit services between Europe and Asia. These intermodal solutions are offering outstanding transit times, fixed schedule and competitive pricing,” comments Alexey Shilo,” Deputy General Manager at Russian Railways (RZD).

Transportation on the AE77 is covered with Maersk regular Bill of Lading and uses Maersk standard booking platform.

About A.P. Moller - Maersk

A.P. Moller - Maersk is an integrated container logistics company working to connect and simplify its customers’ supply chains. As the global leader in shipping services, the company operates in 130 countries and employs approximately 80,000 people.