[070215.EN.SEA] CMA CGM and Hamburg Sud Expand Their Existing Cooperation

The CMA CGM and Hamburg Sud will start a service linking Asia, the Caribbean, US east coast and north Europe from mid-May if they win approval from the US Federal Maritime Commission.

Since mid-January, Hamburg Sud has been taking slots between Asia and the Caribbean on CMA CGM's PEX 2 service as well as on the Brazex service which provides connection to Manaus from the Caribbean.

This will also involve the United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) for the transatlantic portion in a service that will complement the one already connecting Asia with US east coast through Suez.

Then from July, the lines will revamp services between Asia and the east and west coasts of South America. Details will be available shortly, said a joint statement.

"The enhanced cooperation allows both lines to provide cost efficient, innovative new products, which will be best in class as far as scope, frequency and fast transit times are concerned," said the statement.

Said CMA CGM vice chairman Rodolphe Saade: "This partnership reinforces the CMA CGM's position in the Americas, reflecting our ambitions in this rapidly growing area."

Said Hamburg Sud chairman Ottmar Gast: "We value the partnership with CMA CGM and are excited about the new products which we are jointly offering to the market."

CMA CGM is the world's third biggest container carrier with 260 ships totalling 1,323,893 TEU. Hamburg Sud is the 12th biggest carrier, with 84 ships totalling 423,073 TEU.

Source : SN-TR.