CMA CGM merges Asia/Middle East loops

CMA CGM merges Asia/Middle East loops French liner carrier CMA CGM said Tuesday it is combining two loops that ply the Asia/Middle East trade and using larger ships on the merged service.
   The carrier's CIMEX service, beginning July 8, will incorporate elements of its CIMEX 1 and CIMEX 2 services. It will operate using six 8,500-TEU ships, in place of the 3,000- and 5,700-TEU vessels on the current services. The new service will look much like the current CIMEX service, with added calls at Tianjin, Dalian, Shekou and Damman. The Damman call means CMA CGM will call four Gulf ports in one service.
   The new CIMEX rotation will be Tianjin, Dalian, Pusan, Shanghai (Yangshan), Shanghai (Waigaoqiao), Ningbo, Shekou, Port Kelang, Khor Fakkan, Jebel Ali, Damman, Bandar Abbas, Port Kelang, Nansha and Tianjin.
   'The trade from Asia to the Middle East has enjoyed a healthy growth that is likely to continue,' the carrier said in a statement.