New Container Freight Route Between Asia and Africa

Extracted 02AUG2011 from http://www.handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/new-container-freight-route-b...

FAR EAST – AFRICA - Shipping groups CMA CGM and CSAV have announced the launch of a new jointly operated direct freight container service linking Asia to West Africa commencing the 3rd August. Named WAX II, this new service will deploy 10 vessels from 2,500 TEU’s up to 3,100 TEU’s (5 CMA CGM vessels, 5 CSAV vessels). It will serve China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Nigeria, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Cameroon.

The companies say this service will provide its customers with better coverage of West African ports with, in particular, a direct call to Cameroon at the port of Douala plus an enhanced transhipment capacity from Lomé to Cotonou and a call to CMA CGM’s Port Kelang hub, giving access to the south-eastern Asian market.

The route improves current transit times with a claimed record transit time of 22 days between Apapa, first port of call on the West Coast of Africa and Port Kelang.