AFRICA/MIDDLE EAST – CMA CGM, a global leader in shipping and logistics has announced a restructuring of its services connecting the India Middle East Gulf with South Africa, East Africa, and the Indian Ocean.
The revamp aims to optimize shipping routes and enhance efficiency to meet demand during the citrus export season.
MIDAS 1: Adding Coega to Route
The company will add Coega to the MIDAS 1 service rotation, offering a more efficient pathway for shipments with competitive transit times to Jebel Ali and India.
CMA CGM stated that the MIDAS 1 service will run on a 70-day schedule with 10 vessels capable of carrying up to 5,700 TEU.
The service starts with the m/v CMA CGM KRIBI, expected to reach Coega on May 5, 2024. The rotation includes Jebel Ali, Mundra, Nhava Sheva, Pointe Noire, Tema, Apapa, Capetown, Coega, and back to Jebel Ali.
MIDAS 2: Durban as the Sole Port of Call
In the MIDAS 2 service, Durban will be the only port of call in South Africa, with Pointe des Galets shifting to CMA CGM’s new KARIBU service.
Port Elizabeth will be accessible weekly through a dedicated feeder service via Durban, offering faster transit times.
MIDAS 2 will operate on a 49-day schedule with seven vessels carrying up to 2,800 TEU, starting with m/v CMA CGM VALPARAISO. The rotation includes Jebel Ali, Mundra, Nhava Sheva, Durban, and back to Jebel Ali.
KARIBU: New Weekly Service
The KARIBU service replaces the previous KARIBU HAX service, with a weekly operation fully managed by CMA CGM.
The company promises competitive transit times and easy connectivity to the Indian Ocean through the Pointe des Galets hub.
KARIBU operates on a 42-day schedule with six vessels capable of carrying up to 1,700 TEU, starting with m/v CMA CGM KAILAS.
The rotation includes Jebel Ali, Mombasa, Longoni, Pointe des Galets, Mombasa, Mogadishu, and back to Jebel Ali.
NOURA: Faster Transit Times
The NOURA service will offer faster transit times to Mozambique, Somalia, and Seychelles markets. It operates on a 35-day schedule with five vessels capable of carrying up to 1,700 TEU, starting with m/v CMA CGM GULF EXPRESS.
The rotation includes Jebel Ali, Mogadishu, Mombasa, Beira, Nacala, Port Victoria, and back to Jebel Ali.
The reorganization of these services highlights CMA CGM’s commitment to meeting market needs and improving transit times across its routes.
As global shipping demands evolve, CMA CGM continues to adapt its offerings to provide competitive services to customers.
Restructuring is a common occurrence in major shipping companies to adapt to changing market demands and improve their service offerings for customers.
In August 2023, for instance, MSC updated the rotation of its Swan Service to better match market demand and improve transit times between Asia and the North Europe and Scanbaltic regions.
The new rotation includes the Port of Felixstowe, creating a fast, direct route between Yantian in China and the UK.
The updated rotation for the Swan Service is as follows: Ningbo, Yantian, Suez, Felixstowe, Gdansk, Gdynia, Bremerhaven, Suez, King Abdullah, and back to Ningbo.
Notably, the Port of Antwerp continues to provide rapid transit times from Asia through the Lion Service.
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