CMA CGM, CSAV and CSCL together for a new upgraded service between Asia, Mexico and the Caribbean

CMA CGM, CSAV and CSCL are pleased to announce the combination of their respective direct services on the routes between Far East, Mexico and the Caribbean.

As soon as mid-July next, they will indeed provide a single weekly service, operated by 10 vessels of a nominal capacity of 4.300 teus, replacing the PEX2 and Pacar services, along the following rotation:

Hong Kong - Chiwan - Kaoshiung - Ningbo - Shanghai - Qingdao - Pusan - Ensenada - Manzanillo (Mexico) - Balboa - Manzanillo (Panama) - Cartagena - Kingston - Caucedo - Puerto Cabello - Port of Spain - Hong Kong

The service will therefore follow an Eastbound round the world route first through the Pacific, then the Panama canal, the Atlantic, the Cap of Good Hope and the Indian Ocean back to Asia.

This new first class service will offer :

• A most comprehensive coverage of the Caribbean and North Coast South America, with 6 direct calls in this area.

• A major rationalization of the capacity to better match the recent market evolution.

“This new agreement allows CMA CGM to optimize the quality of its direct service between Asia, Mexico and the Caribbean, while adjusting its tonnage deployment to the current environment : it is a new evidence of the Group’s ability to adapt rapidly to market evolutions, improving once more the service provided to its customers,” explains Laurent Falguière, Vice-President Caribbean and Latin America Lines.

CMA CGM and CSAV will respectively provide 4,5 vessels and CSCL 1.

The first sailing will be performed by CMA CGM JASPER, calling Hong Kong on July 17th 2009.