CMA CGM adds car containers to fleet

CMA CGM adds car containers to fleet Marseilles-based CMA CGM, the world’s third-largest container shipping line, will later this month introduce into its fleet 200 new multipurpose 40-foot containers able to carry up to four vehicles at a time.
   The French shipping line said the Trans-Rak containers offers a containerized alternative to transporting vehicles on pure car carrier vessels by making service to secondary ports easier and with better schedules and flow. Also, because the vehicles leave the production line and arrive directly at distribution centers there is no handling in between, limiting the threat of theft or damage from weather or handling errors.
   The car containers are outfitted with a system of sliding, retractable ramps, making them suitable for other purposes.
   CMA CGM plans to add another batch of the containers by the end of the year to boost its car carrying business.
   “Today, about 10 million cars worldwide are transported by car carriers, and another 1 million are shipped in containers. Flexible and easy to use, this CMA CGM innovation will strengthen the use of containers in car transport and logistics, particularly in developing nations,' said Alexis Michel, CMA CGM’s vice president container logistics.