Post-panamaxes deploy
CMA CGM is moving forward with a campaign to upgrade a service that provides West Africa with a direct link to China.
In a statement the French carrier said it plans to dedicate a dozen 5,700-teu containerships to the loop under a broader bid to consolidate its position as a leader in this corner of the market.
“With the 5,700 (TEU) vessels calling West Africa in direct service, the CMA CGM Group confirms its ambition to reinforce its offer in the area and to support the economic development of the country,” it added.
CMA CGM, which claims it is the first carrier to deploy containerships of this capacity in the region, said the first vessel employed under the upgraded service will arrive in Walvis Bay on Friday, Pointe Noire on 15 May and Luanda two days later.
The company identified the unit as the 5,762-teu ER Canada (built 2001), which made TradeWinds headlines earlier this year when it emerged as one of several 5,700-teu boxships the carrier chartered for 12 months at rates of around $12,950 to $13,500 per day.