Maersk Line and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) have ceased operating two direct services between Asia and the Red Sea.

Maersk Line is suspending its “Horn Of Africa” services and MSC its “Petra Express” service, which the Geneva-liner company launched as recently as October 2017.

Their withdrawal will leave only three other services connecting directly Asia and the Red Sea, with up to 30% of the total capacity removed on this route, according to Alphaliner estimates.