CMA CGM launches Far East, Indian Ocean Islands, South Africa loop

Time:2011-05-09 Browse:34 Author:RISINGSUN

MARSEILLES-based French shipping giant CMA CGM has launched its Shaka Express service, linking the Far East, Indian Ocean Islands and South Africa from May 8.

The weekly service deploys six vessels between 4,500 TEU and 6,500 TEU, to meet the growing market demand of South African trade with Asia, amounting to 30 per cent of its overall trade.


The service rotation will be as follows: Fuzhou, Xiamen, Kaohsiung, Hong Kong, Shenzhen-Chiwan, Singapore, Port Louis, Durban, Port Elizabeth-Ngqura, Port Louis, Singapore and back to Fuzhou.


Its new reefer capacity for exports from Durban and Port Elizabeth-Nqura to Singapore and Hong Kong will support transport of goods such as citrus and bananas, which represent 20 per cent of container volumes.


The service will enhance connections with the groups networks of lines via Hong Kong for cargo from and to North China and allow for relay of cargo to and from all India Ocean Islands through southbound and northbound calls via connections to its CMA CGM Mascareignes service (linking Gulf, Pakistan and Indian Ocean).


CMA CGM now has four services calling every week South Africa, providing its clients with an optimal ports coverage and a full range of services to the rest of the world.