The Port of Felixstowe has received the first UK call from the Premier Alliance FE4 Asia-Europe loop. The 24,000 TEU HMM Southampton arrived on 20 July from Singapore. Felixstowe was the first European port of call.
The Premier Alliance includes Ocean Network Express (ONE), HMM (formerly known as Hyundai Merchant Marine), and Yang Ming. It launched in February 2025 as a five-year extension of their previous partnership. The FE4 loop offers fast transit from Asia. Felixstowe benefits from deep-water access and strong inland links.
Strategic first call on Asia-Europe route
The HMM Southampton is among the largest vessels in the Korean company’s fleet. Her call at Felixstowe marks the FE4 service launch under the Premier Alliance. Felixstowe, on England’s east coast, was chosen as the first European port due to its strong Asia trade links.
“The Port of Felixstowe has long been the leading UK port for trade with Asia,” said Clemence Cheng, Executive Director of Hutchison Ports and CEO of the Port of Felixstowe. “We are delighted to welcome the Premier Alliance to our roster. The FE4 service adds further options for shippers. Felixstowe provides the Premier Alliance with first-class facilities and the deepest channel and quay depths in the UK.”
Deep water keeps megamax ships moving
Felixstowe can accommodate the world’s largest container vessels. Its Berths eight and nine offer deep-water berthing and high-capacity cranes. Services like FE4 benefit from quick UK access and minimal delay.
“The unique extent of the deep-water access at Felixstowe is particularly important for services such as the FE4,” said Cheng. “These services arrive as the first European port of call and with the deepest drafts. Using Felixstowe avoids congestion and minimises delay.”
First call gives HMM stronger UK access
HMM sees the FE4 as a step forward in Asia-Europe coverage. The UK-first call improves schedule reliability and reduces transit times. It’s noted that the port’s rail terminal is already the busiest in Britain. There are plans to increase capacity on the approach lines to add even more capability in the long term (as reported by RailFreight.com).
“We are proud to see the HMM Southampton inaugurate the FE4 service at the Port of Felixstowe,” said Peter Livey, HMM Managing Director (Great Britain). “This marks a significant milestone in our commitment to delivering efficient and reliable shipping solutions across Asia and Europe.”
ONE and Yang Ming return to familiar ground
For ONE and Yang Ming, Felixstowe is already a well-known port. Both lines have long-standing connections to the UK gateway. The new service builds on that foundation. “We are pleased to be offering a new UK port call at Felixstowe as part of our FE4 Asia-Europe service,” said Takahiro Kikuchi, Managing Director of ONE (Europe). “This service, operated in partnership with the Premier Alliance, presents new opportunities to ONE and our customers.”
Jack Wu, Managing Director of Yang Ming (UK), added that Felixstowe is the historical UK port of call for Yang Ming. “We are delighted to be returning with the Premier Alliance updated FE4 loop,” he said. “This allows us to provide an enhanced level of service scope.”
Global hub with rail and maritime reach
Felixstowe’s inclusion in the FE4 loop highlights its strategic location. The port handles more containers than any other in the UK. It is also the country’s busiest intermodal rail terminal. Rail services connect directly to major inland markets. The full FE4 rotation is: Felixstowe, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Le Havre, Algeciras, Singapore, Kaohsiung, Shanghai, Ningbo, Kaohsiung, Yantian, Cai Mep, Singapore, Felixstowe.
Felixstowe is owned and operated by Hutchison Ports. The group runs 53 ports in 24 countries. It is part of CK Hutchison Holdings. There was concern after the Gemini Cooperation (between Hapag‑Lloyd and Maersk) switched allegiance to rivals DP World at London Gateway. The Premier Alliance FE4 trade inclusion is something of a redress for the Suffolk port, which remains Britain’s busiest. The Premier Alliance agreement enables HMM, Ocean Network Express (ONE), and Yang Ming to share vessels on trade routes between the US and Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.