CMA CGM reshuffles round-the-world service

CMA CGM reshuffles round-the-world service

   CMA CGM, a French ocean carrier and logistics company based in Marseilles, has announced two dedicated services to Australia and New Zealand that will replace the company's present round-the-world services, known as 'Westabout' and 'Eastabout.'

   The new pendulum services will start in February, 2006.

   One pendulum, Europe/ANZ/Europe, will offer weekly service through the Suez Canal with vessels of 2,000-to-2,500-TEU capacity. The second pendulum, Europe/U.S. East Coast (USEC)/French SPI's/ANZ/USEC/Europe, will offer fortnightly services initially through the Panama Canal, also with vessels ranging in capacity from 2,000 to 2,500 TEUs.

   'These services will allow CMA CGM to maintain existing market coverage, but also to offer new connections (ANZ/USEC) and improved transit times for most of the trades involved – for instance: Europe to Australia via Suez (Hamburg to Melbourne in 30 days),' said Jean-Francois Guittet, CMA CGM's senior vice president for Africa, Oceania, and Indian Ocean Lines.

   'Discussions with other carriers are also in progress to join forces on these routes in order to offer a weekly frequency in both services,' CMA CGM said in a statement.