Icelandic container line Eimskip is reducing sailings and capacity to save money during the coronavirus pandemic.
The company said that from early April it is adjusting its routes as a response to the outbreak.
It will be able to offer services to key ports with the shortest transit time available from continental Europe, Scandinavia and UK to Iceland and the Faroe Islands.
Eimskip will only operate eight ships instead of 10, by taking the 1,457-teu Godafoss and Laxfoss (both built 1995) out of service earlier than previously planned, which will lower fixed operating costs.
The company had said last April it was looking to sell the vessels.
They were due to be replaced by three Chinese 2,150-teu newbuildings operated with Greenland's Royal Arctic Line (RAL), but these have been delayed until later this year by the coronavirus.
The temporary schedule will stay in place until the RAL cooperation is ready to begin with the first ship, a chartered vessel and another RAL ship late in the second quarter.
The focus is on operational efficiency to maintain the company’s financial strength, Eimskip added.
Eimskip chief executive Vilhelm Mar Thorsteinsson said: "In the current business environment we are especially aware of the company’s role as an important infrastructure company in our core markets in the North Atlantic and in our customers logistic chains.
"The adjusted sailing system is a temporary measure due to the current situation and I am pleased to see that we will maintain a strong import and export service to and from Iceland and Faroe Islands."
