CMA CGM PLANS TO ENTER ATLANTIC TRADE

CMA CGM PLANS TO ENTER ATLANTIC TRADE

   CMA CGM, the French shipping line, is studying the potential launch of a two-way northern Europe/U.S. East Coast service.

   “We are interested in this trade and have contacted several possible partners,” a spokesman for the company said.

   If confirmed, the launch of the Atlantic service will be the latest expansion move by CMA CGM in U.S. trades. After entering the transpacific trade in 1999, the carrier commenced Asia/U.S. East Coast and India/U.S. East Coast services earlier this year. CMA CGM has recently expanded its Asia/U.S West Coast services through cooperation agreements with Norasia and Wan Hai.

   CMA CGM said that it currently runs a limited westbound-only northern Europe/U.S. service. The 11-day-frequency service is part of a Mediterranean/northern Europe/U.S. East Coast/South Pacific/Australasia/Sri Lanka/Mediterranean round-the-world service.

   The new transatlantic service under study would operate in both directions and with a weekly frequency.