CMA-CGM ENTERS PACIFIC TRADE

CMA-CGM ENTERS PACIFIC TRADE

   CMA-CGM has confirmed that it will enter the transpacific trade, with a
new weekly service starting May 25.
   The announcement follows shortly on reports that CMA-CGM may enter the trade in June.
   The French carrier will deploy 15 ships of 1,800 to 2,000 TEUs in a
"pendulum" service that will cover the West Coast of North America, Asia
and Europe. The 15 vessels are required to enable CMA-CGM to extend its
existing 10-ship North China Japan link, between Europe and Asia, across
the Pacific Ocean.
   Westbound, the ships of the "North China Japan/Trans-Pacific Express"
service will call weekly at Long Beach, Oakland, Kawasaki, Kobe, Hakata, Busan, Inchon, Xingang, Dalian, Qingdao, Xiamen and Port
Kelang, before proceeding to Europe. Eastbound, the vessels will call at
Jakarta, Singapore, Chiwan, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Long Beach and Oakland.
   The carrier said that the service is subject to approval by the U.S.
Federal Maritime Commission and by the Chinese Ministry of Communication.
   The first sailing of the service is scheduled on May 25 in Long Beach.
   CMA-CGM has appointed Inchcape Shipping as agent for North America.