CMA CGM Breaks Tampa Port Vessel Record

Florida's largest port,  Port Tampa Bay has marking a major milestone and partnership with CMA CGM as Port customers, local officials, and business leaders gather to celebrate the inaugural call of the CMA CGM DALILA at The Ports America Terminal.

CMA CGM Group, a world leader in shipping and logistics, begin their weekly direct ocean carrier service between Asia and Port Tampa Bay today. CMA CGM's excellent transit times will significantly improve the competitiveness of the region's importers and exporters, transforming Tampa Bay's economic landscape.

With a capacity of 8,500 to 9,500 TEUs (container units) per vessel, these are also the largest container ships ever to call at the Port.  

The key to Port Tampa Bay's success in attracting this new service resulted from the Port's acquisition of new post-Panamax container gantry cranes in the summer of 2016, which coincided with the expansion of the Panama Canal. As a result, this expansion allows for larger ships to serve ports in the Tampa's Gulf region.

CMA CGM will provide an invaluable new route, linking critical Asian markets to Florida's fastest growing region and largest consumer market: the I-4 corridor. The DALILA's inaugural call will also be the first ever direct connection between the booming Vietnam market and Central Florida.

Paul Anderson, Port Tampa Bay President/CEO said, "We are delighted to welcome CMA CGM to the Port Tampa Bay family. This is a further testament to the growth of the U.S. Gulf market and the significance of the Tampa Bay/I-4 corridor. This area is home to the state's largest concentration of distribution centers and is now the heartbeat of Florida's international trade."

The CMA CGM Group calls 18 ports on all Gulf, East and West Coasts and offers 34 weekly services to connect U.S. commerce worldwide. With a presence in 160 countries and a fleet of 511 vessels, CMA CGM serves over 420 ports. CMA CGM is also a member of the Ocean Alliance.

Port Tampa Bay's position on the eastern Gulf coast complements PEX3 port calls at the western and central Gulf ports of Houston, New Orleans and Mobile. By passing through the Panama Canal, the service has the advantages of the all-water route between Asia and the Gulf. The PEX3 port service rotation includes Singapore, Vung Tau, Hong Kong, Shekou, Ningbo, Shanghai, Busan, Panama Canal transit, Houston, Mobile, New Orleans, Tampa, Miami, and Singapore.

Ludovic Renou, President of CMA CGM America said, "The PEX3 offers an outstanding service to and from Asia, and now shippers and customers in Central Florida will have enhanced access to it. By adding Tampa to the PEX3, we demonstrate an agility that is a hallmark of the customer-centric approach we bring to all aspects of our business."