Freight forwarders engaged in Asia-Europe shipping business please note that Ocean Network Express (ONE) has released a new route adjustment notice. Instead of launching new routes or suspending existing voyages, the shipping company has optimized the port call layout for its two flagship Asia-Europe routes FE1 and FE3. The core adjustments cover two key changes namely the addition of Le Havre of France to FE1 route and the removal of Algeciras of Spain from FE3 route.

The new adjustment will take effect in early June. Relevant practitioners are advised to mark the schedule in advance for cargo arrangements on these two routes.

FE1 Route New direct port call in France opens up Southeast Asia export channels

The original port rotation of the FE1 route is Laem Chabang Thailand → Cai Mep Vietnam → Singapore → Cape of Good Hope → Rotterdam → Hamburg → Algeciras → Cape of Good Hope → Singapore → Laem Chabang. After the optimization, Algeciras is replaced with Le Havre.

As the largest container port in France and a pivotal gateway port for Northwest Europe, Le Havre previously required transshipment for all Southeast Asian cargo bound for France. Shippers had to either transfer goods via Singapore or unload cargo at Rotterdam and Hamburg before land trucking transportation.

The newly added direct call at Le Havre on the FE1 route sets a new direct shipping option for Thai electronics manufacturers as well as Vietnamese textile and furniture exporters. Cargo departing from Laem Chabang is scheduled to arrive at Le Havre on July 27.

The maiden voyage of the updated route is operated by the vessel ONE Hamburg with the voyage number 0085W/E, departing from Laem Chabang on June 6. Freight forwarders handling Southeast Asian export businesses are recommended to record the fixed voyage schedule.

FE3 Route Removes Algeciras port to focus on Northwest Europe core markets

The original port rotation of the FE3 route is Qingdao → Ningbo → Yantian → Singapore → Cape of Good Hope → Algeciras → Felixstowe → Hamburg → Antwerp → Cape of Good Hope → Qingdao. The updated version completely eliminates Algeciras from the port list, with the adjusted rotation being Qingdao → Ningbo → Yantian → Singapore → Cape of Good Hope → Felixstowe → Antwerp → Hamburg → Cape of Good Hope → Qingdao.

After the removal of Algeciras in Spain, the FE3 route only serves three core Northwest European ports including Felixstowe in the United Kingdom, Antwerp in Belgium and Hamburg in Germany. The cancellation of Southern Europe port calls indicates that the shipping company is shifting capacity resources to the Northwest European market with more stable cargo volume and higher profit margins.

The updated FE3 route kicks off with the vessel HMM Dublin under voyage number 0019W/E, departing from Qingdao on June 11 and expected to reach Felixstowe on July 29. Freight forwarders based in East and North China shall pay close attention to this voyage schedule.

Key operational reminders for freight forwarders

New stable shipping channel to France via direct Le Havre port call

Cargo exported from North China ports to Le Havre previously relied heavily on transshipment at Antwerp or Rotterdam. Although the optimized FE1 route mainly serves Southeast Asian outbound cargo, its return voyage also covers Asian port calls with available reusable cabin space. Forwarders can consult ONE sales teams about cabin allocation policies to arrange shipments for East and South China cargo bound for France via return voyage cabins.

Transshipment cargo for Southern Europe faces diversion after Algeciras removal

With Algeciras no longer on the FE3 route, goods originally transshipped here for the Western Mediterranean region need alternative shipping solutions. Practitioners can select other Asia-Europe routes such as FE2 and AE1, or adopt feeder shipping arrangements via Felixstowe and Rotterdam. It is necessary to calculate and compare the cost difference between direct shipping plus feeder service and full direct shipping for customers when preparing quotations.

Fixed voyage cycle for both routes via Cape of Good Hope

Both routes officially adopt the Cape of Good Hope shipping route on a permanent basis. This route takes 10 to 14 days longer than the Suez Canal route but features superior schedule stability. It is advisable to calculate delivery cycles based on this fixed rhythm to minimize delivery time deviation in customer commitments.

The core logic behind the carrier’s route adjustment is to allocate shipping capacity to markets with higher cargo volume and better profitability. This minor optimization of ONE’s routes essentially updates the shipping layout of Asia-Europe lines. Timely updating route solutions and synchronizing the latest voyage schedules helps accurately match customers with optimal shipping plans and effectively avoid cargo delays caused by transshipment uncertainties.