CMA CGM ADDS TRANSPACIFIC CAPACITY

CMA CGM ADDS TRANSPACIFIC CAPACITY

   CMA CGM will launch an additional Asia/U.S. West Coast service in May, using five ships of 2,500-TEU capacity.

   The shipping line is expected to announce the service on Tuesday. The service will likely operate in partnership between CMA CGM and another carrier, whose identity is presently unknown.

   In the United States, the service will call at Los Angeles and Oakland. It will add about 130,000 TEUs in annual one-way capacity to the transpacific trade.

   This new service is distinct from a larger transpacific operation scheduled for 2004 by CMA CGM and Mediterranean Shipping Co. that will use five new vessels of 8,000-TEU capacity.