CMA CGM splits from Hapag-Lloyd on Panama, Suez services

CMA CGM splits from Hapag-Lloyd on Panama, Suez services    CMA CGM confirmed on Friday that it would end its partnership with Hapag-Lloyd on two services connecting Europe and Australasia via the Suez and Panama canals.
   The French line will pull its two vessels from the 12-ship Suez Direct service, while Hapag-Lloyd will withdraw its two ships from the Panama Direct, which also calls at the U.S. East Coast.
   As a result, the Panama service will operate on a fortnightly basis with CMA CGM contributing five vessels and Marfret providing one ship.
   Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd could not find anyone to comment on its plans for the Suez service before the deadline for this story.
   CMA CGM’s decision follows the start of the 26-port NEMO service connecting North Europe and the Mediterranean with the Middle East, Indian Ocean, Australasia, South East Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Partners on the NEMO include CMA CGM-subsidiaries Delmas and ANL Container Line and also Germany’s Deutsche Afrika Linien.