Transpacific: CMA CGM, MAERSK and MSC rationalize their services to US West Coast

CMA CGM, MAERSK and MSC, the world’s three largest shipping companies, will reorganize 2 loops between Asia and US West Coast by merging their Central and Northern China services, effective September 16th, 2009.

As a consequence YANGZI loop covering Central and South China will be suspended after September 7th, 2009 last departure.

This reshuffled service named BOHAI RIM by CMA CGM will be operated with 5 x 8 100 TEU vessels (1 x CMA CGM, 2 x MAERSK, 2 x MSC), ensuring a weekly direct service between China and United States.

The restructured BOHAI RIM rotation will be: Dalian - Xingang - Shanghai WGQ - Shanghai Yangshan - Ningbo - Los Angeles - Oakland - Dalian

This joint initiative allows CMA CGM, MAERSK and MSC to rationalize existing services and capacity to meet market needs. It will provide customers with extensive port coverage in China (Dalian, Xingang, Shanghai WGQ, Shanghai Yangshan, Ningbo) and weekly direct calls to South California ports : Los Angeles and Oakland, gateway to the US inland market. Hong Kong, Yantian, Kaohsiung, Qingdao are already included in other loops operated by the partners.

« The suspension of the YANGZI service and the extension of the BOHAI RIM service come as an adjustment of existing capacity in the trade. This rationalization of our service will strengthen our China coverage and fully responds to customer needs and market dynamics» explains Jean-Philippe Thénoz, CMA CGM Vice President North America Lines.