CMA CGM to launch a new service

CMA CGM Group announced the launching of a new service linking Asia, Indian Ocean Islands and South Africa, effective May 8th, 2011.

Called Shaka Express, this new weekly service will deploy 6 vessels between 4,500 and 6,500 TEU, and will allow CMA CGM to meet the growing market demand of South Africa, as over 30% of the country’s trade is with Asia.

▲ The assets of this new service :

- New reefer capacity for exports from Durban and Port Elizabeth (Nqura) to Singapore and Hong Kong : a very important strength on this trade where refrigerated goods represent about 20% of the containerized volumes, in particular with the transport of citrus and bananas.

- Connections with the Group’ global network of lines via Hong Kong for cargo from and to North China.

- Northbound and Southbound calls in Port Louis allowing relay of cargo to and from all Indian Ocean Islands, thanks to the connection with the CMA CGM Mascareignes service (linking Gulf, Pakistan and Indian Ocean).

▲ The service rotation will be as follows :

Fuzhou-Xiamen-Kaohsiung-Hong Kong-Chiwan-Singapore-Port Louis-Durban-Port Elizabeth (Ngqura)-Port Louis-Singapore and back to Fuzhou.

“CMA CGM Group is strongly determined to expand its presence in South Africa. We started by adding stopovers on our existing services but this new service marks another big step forward with an offer dedicated to the South African Market” explained Stephane Courquin, Deputy Vice President Africa, Indian Ocean, Oceania Lines CMA CGM now has 4 weekly services linking South Africa to ports worldwide.

World-class marina facilities to be built on site designated for North Port Redevelopment. World-class marina facilities are going to be built on the site of North Port Redevelopment (NPR), the largest project ever since the opening of Busan Port. Busan Port Authority (BPA) announced that it had signed an MOU for investment in the marina facilities of NPR with SUTL, a global marina operator on April 6. According to the MOU, BPA provides land and infrastructure necessary for the marina project and SUTL develops marina facilities and assists their operation and management.

Both parties have explored investment opportunities for the marina facilities shuttling between Singapore and Busan since last year. BPA plans to complete choosing investors through consultation with SUTL and propel the business in earnest next year. It is said that SUTL is going to build Marina Club and vitalize it by holding global competitions and events and running a yacht school taught in English.

SUTL, which stood at 50th among 100 largest companies in Singapore last year, has 21 marina clubs in 11 countries and has held Volve Ocean Race, one of three largest yacht races in the world.

An official at BPA refreshed its commitment to making a success of North Port Redevelopment, the first port redevelopment project in Korea, expecting the Redevelopment to gain a momentum as the global marina company joins its hands.