The French carrier, in a note to customers said the change would “generate greater operational efficiency and reduce the environment impact.”
Its change in its chassis policy follows similar moves by Maersk Line, Atlantic Container Line and OOCL.
“In line with what has been in force for years in the rest of the world, the provision by truckers of their own chassis will give them flexibility and allow them to use it for multiple moves at different terminals, for different lines/services, hence removing inefficiencies and improving supply chain process,” CMA CGM said. “By deleting idle time at terminals waiting for a chassis, by improving turnaround and transit time, this new system will allow not only to better meet the customers' service expectations but also significantly reduce the carbon footprint of drayage operations, positively impacting the environment.”
CMA CGM said it has created a tentative schedule to implement its new chassis management policy:
' Oct. 1 — Mobile, Ala.
' Nov. 1 — New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Boston.
' Dec 1 — Jacksonville, Fla., and Charleston, S.C.
' Jan 1 — Houston and Dallas.
' Feb. 1 — Memphis and Nashville, Tenn.; Kansas City and St Louis, Mo.
' March 1 — Los Angeles-Long Beach and Oakland, Calif.; and Seattle, Wash.
Information on other locations will come at a later date.
CMA CGM also said the new policy would improve safety in terminals by removing surplus chassis, reduce congestion and improve overall chassis conditions by not having to suffer potential damage from multiple connections/disconnections.
