CMA CGM enhances EPIC service for Indian subcontinent and Europe

CMA CGM, the world's third largest carrier, has announced enhancements for its EPIC service running India, Pakistan, the Middle East and North Europe.


It will add a new westbound call at Port Said starting March 30 to shorten the voyage for eastern Mediterranean trade lane, including cutting out four days to Lattakia, Syria; Istanbul; six days to Mersin, Turkey and seven days to Beirut.


"The addition of a call in Port Said is the main asset of this new service and will significantly reduce transit times to the eastern Mediterranean. This new configuration meets the growing demand of our Indian and Pakistani customers exporting agricultural, textile and chemical products, as well as refrigerated goods, to markets in the Middle East, Black Sea and Turkey," said the carrier's senior manager for Indian subcontinent and Europe lines, Christophe de La Ferriere.


The carrier will also review its Mascareignes line that serves the Indian Ocean and add a new call at Khor Fakkan to replace the Salalah call by Khor Fakkan.


Besides, it will enhance its transshipment service in the Mediterranean by offering calls at Tangier for West Africa and Latin America, Malta for the western Mediterranean, Khor Fakkan for the Indian Ocean, and Port Said for the Adriatic Sea, Black Sea, Middle East (Syria, Lebanon, Egypt), Turkey and Greece.


Deploying a fleet of eight ships each with a capacity of 5,700 TEU, the new EPIC service will commence March 19 and call at Southampton, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp, Le Havre, Port Said, Khor Fakkan, Jebel Ali, Port Qasim, Nhava Sheva, Mundra, Jeddah, Port Said, Malta, Tangier and back to Southampton.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)