CMA CGM RATIONALIZES ASIA/EUROPE LINK

CMA CGM RATIONALIZES ASIA/EUROPE LINK    CMA CGM has rationalized its weekly Asia/Europe FAL service by reducing its fleet from nine to eight ships and ending calls at Singapore eastbound.
   The changes from 63-day to 56-day round voyages and to a reduced rotation coincide with the phasing in on Dec. 17 in Shanghai of the “CMA CGM Ravel,” the last in a series of eigth new 6,500-TEU ships ordered by the French carrier.
   The last call at Singapore within the FAL service was made by “CMA CGM Berlioz” on Nov. 20. However, the carrier continues to call at Singapore with other Asia/Europe services.
   At the end of October, the “CMA CGM Debussy”    the seventh in a series of 6,500 TEU vessels entered the FAL service. The new CMA CGM ships have been steadily replacing smaller 4,300-TEU vessels, including some operated by service partner National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia.
   The revised FAL port rotation is now Le Havre, Hamburg, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Southampton, Malta, Khor Fakkan, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian, Hong Kong, Port Kelang, Malta, Le Havre, Hamburg, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge and Southampton.
   China Shipping, Contship Containerlines, Lykes Lines, Norasia Container Lines, National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia and Yang Ming marine all takes space on the FAL service.