CMA CGM to resume Asia-Iran CIMEX 9 service

The French ocean carrier will offer a third direct service between Asia and Iran on top of the current CIMEX 6 and CIMEX 8 loops, CMA CGM said in a statement.    CMA CGM has resumed its CIMEX 9 service, which connects Asia with Iran, the French shipping company announced Dec. 26.
   The CIMEX 9 features a port rotation of Kaohsiung, Shanghai, Ningbo, Xiamen, Shenzhen, Bandar Abbas, Dubai (Jebel Ali), and back to Kaohsiung. The service commenced with the sailing of the BASHT Dec. 16 from Kaohsiung, CMA CGM said.
   Transit times include Shanghai to Bandar Abbas in 19 days, and Ningbo to Bandar Abbas in 17 days, the carrier said in its announcement.
   “By integrating this third service connecting Asia with Iran, CMA CGM is providing an enhanced coverage in the region,” CMA CGM said.
   Through CIMEX 9, CMA CGM now offers a third direct service between Asia and Iran on top of the current CIMEX 6 and CIMEX 8 loops.
   The CIMEX 6, which is operated under the OCEAN Alliance service network, sails with six Evergreen Line vessels with an average capacity of 5,594 TEUs and a full port rotation of Shanghai, Ningbo, Taipei, Shekou, Tanjung Pelepas, Port Kelang, Dubai, Bandar Abbas, Port Kelang, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.
   The CIMEX 8, offered through a slot purchase agreement with HDASCO, is operated with six 6,293-TEU average ships, all from HDASCO. The loop has a full port rotation of Qingdao, Xingang, Dalian, Inchon, Gwangyang, Busan, Lianyungang, Shanghai, Dubai, Bandar Abbas, and Qingdao.
   The revised CIMEX 9 also gives the carrier greater coverage of Northeast Asia with direct loadings from Taiwan, Central and South China to Iran, according to CMA CGM.