CMA CGM to rationalize its services between Asia and the US East Coast

CMA CGM Group will be rationalizing its services between Asia and the US East Coast as follows: 1. Cancellation of ESX/SAX

As from the end of March 2009, CMA CGM and its partner TNWA will stop their ESX/SAX service calling Ningbo, Shanghai, Chiwan, Hong Kong, Balboa, Manzanillo, Jacksonville, Savannah, New York, Norfolk, Balboa, Ningbo.

2. Continuation of PEX1 and SUEZ EXPRESS till May 09 - CMA CGM will maintain its PEX1 and SUEZ EXPRESS services to the USEC through the end of April and May respectively, ensuring full port coverage with a more limited allocation:

PEX1: Pusan, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Yantian, Panama, New York, Savannah, Miami, Panama, Pusan.

SUEZ EXPRESS: Port Kelang, Singapore, Colombo, New York, Charleston, Savannah, Norfolk, Jebel Ali, Port Kelang.

3. Replacement of PEX1 and SUEZ EXPRESS from May 09 - Starting from May, the launch of the HUDSON and COLUMBUS services, in partnership with Maersk, in replacement of the PEX1, SAX and SUEZ EXPRESS will bring a second phase of rationalization.

Both services will be operated with state-of-the art ships of 6500 TEU capacity via Suez and 5100 TEU via Panama, providing very competitive transit times and giving access to multiple Asian markets.

Rotation will be as follows: Columbus Loop –Yokohama, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Yantian, Singapore, Suez, New York, Norfolk, Savannah, Good Hope, Singapore, Hong Kong, Yantian, Shanghai, Pusan, Seattle, Vancouver, Yokohama.

Hudson Loop – Ningbo, Shanghai, Qingdao, Pusan, Balboa, Panama, Savannah, New York, Miami, Panama, Balboa, Ningbo

“These rationalizations will provide customers with major improvements: an extensive port coverage, such as direct calls from North China to the US East Coast, direct calls connecting all South East Asia Origins in Singapore to New York, Norfolk and Savannah on the US East Coast, Seattle and Vancouver in the PNW, direct calls from Hong Kong, South & Central China and Korea to the PNW gateway, and allow CMA CGM to better align available capacity with market demand” explains Alain M. SCHMID, Deputy Vice President North America Lines.

By undertaking this 2 step rationalization, CMA CGM is committed to keep delivering the best service along with an adapted capacity to continue to provide its customers with a reliable and quality service on this trade.