CMA CGM, Maersk launch Asia-Black Sea service May 20

CMA CGM has announced the May 20 launch of its new joint service with Maersk Line, linking Asia and Black Sea.

The New Bosphorus Express will be operated with 10 containerships in 6,500 TEU class, of which five will be CMA CGM vessels.

Rotation will be: Dalian, Tianjin, Busan, Shanghai, Ningbo, Taipei, Shenzhen (Chiwan, Yantian), Tanjung Pelepas, Port Kelang, Aqaba, Port Said, Damietta, Istanbul Evyap, Istanbul Ambarli, Constanza, Illichivsk, Odessa, Damietta, Port Said, Port Kelang, Tanjung Pelepas and back to Dalian.

After difficult months of economic recession in the countries bordering the Black Sea, we see signs of recovery in exchange flows to and from Asia, said a statement from the Marseilles-based company.

CMA CGM wishes to accompany its clients in the area with reshuffled direct coverage while ensuring stability of the capacity on offer. This will reinforce our port coverage as well as overall service quality and reliability, said CMA CGM vice president Christine Cabau, in charge of the company's Asia/Mediterranean, Red Sea, Black Sea and Adriatic business.

With the New Bosphorus Express, CMA CGM Group will enhance existing Med services and is now able to call directly all major Asian and Mediterranean ports, offering the most comprehensive port coverage from the Black Sea, said the company.

The first vessel to be deployed on service will be the CMA CGM Baudelaire leaving Dalian on May 20.

Source: Tranportweekly