CMA CGM Launches New Asia-W. Africa Service

CMA CGM Group launched a new direct service linking Asia to West Africa, effective August 3, 2011. Named WAX II, this new service will be operated in partnership with CSAV and will deploy 10 vessels from 2,500 TEUs up to 3,100 TEUs (5 CMA CGM vessels, 5 CSAV vessels). It will serve China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Nigeria, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Cameroon.  This service will enable the Group to provide its customers with the following advantages:
-          Better coverage of West African ports with, in particular, a direct call to Cameroon at the port of Douala
-          An enhanced transhipment capacity from Lomé to Cotonou
-          A call to CMA CGM’s Port Kelang hub, giving access to the south-eastern Asian market
-          Improved transit times: a record transit time of 22 days between Apapa, first port of call on the West Coast of Africa and Port Kelang.
“The launch of this WAX II service is another illustration of the CMA CGM Group’s determination to provide direct services between Asia and West Africa to meet the growing demand of its customers on this trade “, explains Stéphane Courquin, CMA CGM Vice President Africa, Indian Ocean, Oceania Lines.
The rotation will be as follows:  NINGBO – SHANGHAI – CHIWAN – HONG KONG – PORT KELANG – LAGOS-APAPA – LOME – TEMA – ABIDJAN – DOUALA – NINGBO.