Maersk Line has operated its first direct service from Northern Europe to Cuba, with the arrival of the 2,556 TEU E.R. Cape Town at the Port of Mariel.

The call at Mariel, which is approximately 50km away from Havana, has been added to Maersk’s CRX service.

“The launch of our first direct standalone service between Cuba and Northern Europe marks our dedication to helping our customers reach new markets, while continuing to enable trade and economic development,” said Omar Shamsie, president of Latin America and the Caribbean at Maersk Line. “We are very pleased with this development which also reflects our commitment to the trade.”

The new CRX port rotation is: Port of Big Creek – Manzanillo – Puerto Moin – Cork – Tilbury – Rotterdam – Bremerhaven – Mariel – Port of Big Creek, with a total transit time of 42 days.

According to Maersk, the containerized market in Cuba has grown at 10-15% per annum, driven by factors such as infrastructural investments, modernization projects, structural economic changes and the resumption of diplomatic relations with the US, which occurred on July 20, 2015.