French Shipping Group CMA CGM Reaches Deal to Maintain Strong Global Reach
CMA CGM, the world’s third largest container shipping group, and largest group in France, has reached a new agreement with China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL) and United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) to reorganize its CIMEX 1 service along the Asia-Middle East route.
As part of the new CIMEX 1 service, all three lines will operate vessels along the route servicing Tianjin, Dalian, Pusan, Shanghai (YangShan Terminal), Ningbo, Shekou, Port Klang, Khorfakkan, Jebel Ali, Port Klang, and Nansha.
CMA CGM will operate one 12,500 TEU vessel along the route, while CSCL will run three 14,400 TEU vessels, and UASC will be using three 13,000 TEU vessels.
A news release on CMA CGM’s website states, “The new CIMEX 1 marks an important step in the evolution of the worldwide maritime transport as it is the first time that vessels of such a capacity (14,000 TEU) are employed on a market other than Asia – Europe. This opens new perspectives of employment for this type of big vessels.”
The new CIMEX 1 service will replace the two currently used services that have been operating 3600 TEU vessels, and 8500 TEU vessels, respectively.
The news release also showcased the company’s reach into the Asia-Europe market, by stating, “CMA CGM maintains its presence with the FAL 2 service operated with 10 vessels of 12,500 /14,000 TEU (1 x 12,500 CMA CGM). The rotation of this existing service will be improved with the addition of two calls at Jeddah (east and westbound).”
CMA CGM further stated that they are in the process of finalizing a deal with another partner to keep direct access to the Arabic Gulf region via the Dammam port in Saudi Arabia.
Source: www.cma-cgm.com