CMA CGM launches new AFEX service in China - Africa route

CMA CGM and DELMAS announced the launch of a new direct weekly service on the Asia-Africa route “New Africa Express” (AFEX) service.

This service is to be dedicated to South Asian and West African trades and will replace the existing Maersk operated FEW3 service. As a replacement, there will be no additional capacity injected to the market.

As from July 24th,  2012, the CMA CGM Group South China – West Africa network will start. A service operated under a Vessel Shared Agreement between CMA CGM and Maersk with 10 vessels, 2 CMA CGM, and 8 Maersk, ranging from 4,000 to 4,500 TEU.

The rotation is as follows: Yantian (YICT) - Nansha - Tanjung Pelepas - Port Kelang (West Port Terminal) - Capetown - Pointe Noire (Congo Terminal) - Tema (MPS) - Capetown - Yantian.

“The New AFEX service will ensure schedule reliability with owned berthing windows as well as fast transit time with, for example, from Yantian to Tema in 37 days."

"The key aim of this product will be to develop a NEW DIRECT link from Asia to Ghana, being the 2nd largest market in West Africa,” explained Ludovic Rozan, Vice-President CMA CGM Africa, Indian Ocean and Oceania Lines and Mathieu Friedberg, General Manager Delmas. < Korea Shipping Gazette >