Customer demand drives change
JOY ORLEK
ADJUSTING ITS services to meet market demand is an ongoing exercise for French line CMA CGM, and new year plans will see several changes to the status quo. The West Africa Express (WAX) service will bring on bigger vessels, due to be phased in during the first quarter of next year. “We are also keen to see an increased allocation as far as China to South Africa is concerned and South Africa to West Africa,” general manager of CMA CGM SA, Pam Yerushalmy told FTW. The WAX service currently operates six vessels in the 1700/1850 TEU capacity range, calling Shanghai, Ningbo, Fuzhou, Chiwan, Port Kelang, Durban, Tema, Lomé, Cotonou, Abidjan, Colombo, Port Kelang on a 12 day frequency. The name of the service will also change next year to African Express Service (AFEX) along with the upgrade. There is similar focus on the company’s SEAS service between the Far East, South Africa and the east coast of South America. “In the past few months we have experienced reduced allocation to Durban, but we have the market and need the space and will therefore be looking at increasing capacity for local shippers.” The 10-vessel service currently offers a weekly frequency on the route. “With the introduction of an eastbound call our volumes from South America into Durban have grown. It’s also allowed us to look at reefer cargo which wasn’t possible in the past because of equipment issues. “We’re now bringing in reefer from South America and sending reefer cargo to Asia. It’s a small niche market but it’s going well for us.” The potential from Asia is clearly the line’s immediate priority, but new routes are always in its sights. Operationally the line – along with the rest of the industry – is expecting a difficult 2007 at the Durban terminal with the closure of Pier 1 in the first half of the year for upgrades. SA Port Operations has confirmed that alternative terminals will be found for all services calling Durban, says Yerushalmy. “All arrangements are in the process of finalisation and CMA CGM remains positive that all services to and from South Africa will be served at either DCT or Point, at no inconvenience to their market.”
CMA CGM plans 2007 service upgrades
15 Dec 2006 - by Staff reporter
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