CMA CGM to add second Asia/India/Middle East CIMEX loop

CMA CGM to add second Asia/India/Middle East CIMEX loop French shipping group CMA CGM will at the end of March introduce a second weekly service to run parallel to its existing Asia/India/Middle East CIMEX string.
   Each service will deploy five vessels averaging 2,500 TEUs with the first string dedicated to the Gulf states, Iran and Iraq markets, while the second string will focus on Colombo and ports on the West Coast of India as well as adding Shantou in China’s Guangdong Province to CMA CGM’s liner network.
   The rotation for the two CIMEX services will be:
   ' String 1: Ningbo, Shanghai, Fuqing, Chiwan, Port Kelang, Jebel Ali, Khorfakkan, Bandar Abbas, Port Kelang and back to Ningbo.
   ' String 2: Xiamen, Shantou, Chiwan, Laem Chebang, Port Kelang, Colombo, Nhava Sheva, Jebel Ali, Port Kelang and Xiamen.
   'The trade from Asia to the Middle East has enjoyed a healthy growth that is likely to continue. Our customers have been requesting us to keep pace with their growth. The Asia to India trade — linking the two economies with the highest populations — has been growing steadily and is expected to increase in pace rapidly, following the expanding economic ties and increase in spendable income in India,” said Farid Salem, CMA CGM group chief executive vice president.
   CMA CGM affiliates ANL and Cheng Lie Navigation (CNC Line) will also participate on the two services.