CMA CGM/Maersk reshuffle Asia-Med services

   The liner carrier CMA CGM said Friday it will amend the Asia-Mediterranean service network it runs with Maersk Line from early April.
   The changes include revised port rotations for two services in which the lines currently trade slots – CMA CGM’s MEX service and Maersk’s AE11 service. Additionally, CMA CGM said the two lines will jointly operate both services, rather than each line operating one. Also, larger vessels will be used.
   The existing rotations will change to the following:

• MEX1 (formerly MEX) Qingdao, Busan, Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian, Chiwan, Nansha, Tanjung Pelepas, Port Kelang, Malta, Valencia, Barcelona, Marseilles-Fos, Genoa, Malta, Port Said, Khorfakkan, Port Kelang, Singapore, and Qingdao. The service will be operated with 11 vessels of 12,500 TEUs. The current average ship size on the existing MEX loop is 7,487 TEUs, according to American Shipper affiliate ComPair Data.

   Headhaul calls at Qingdao and Yantian, and an eastbound call at Singapore will be new. Headhaul calls at Xiamen, Beirut, and the eastbound call at Nansha will be deleted.

• AE11 (which CMA CGM will now call MEX3) Xiamen, Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian, Nansha, Tanjung Pelepas, Port Kelang, Beirut, Malta, Valencia, Malaga, Tangiers, Port Said, Port Kelang, Singapore, and Xiamen. It will be operated with 10 vessels of 9,500 TEUs. The current average ship size on the existing AE11 is 8,318 TEUs, according to ComPair Data.

   Calls at Xiamen, Nansha, Beirut, Malta, Tangiers, and Port Kelang will be new on the service. Calls at Qingdao, Busan, Hong Kong, Jeddah, Barcelona, Genoa, La Spezia, and Salalah will be removed.
   The two lines are due to end a partnership on the Asia-Northern Europe trade as CMA CGM starts a new wide-ranging vessel sharing agreement with Mediterranean Shipping Co. — Eric Johnson