Maersk and CMA CGM in new trans-Pac VSA

    In anticipation of what Maersk Line said will be a 'more difficult trading environment' the Danish carrier is to combine next spring with France's CMA CGM in a trans-Pacific VSA.

   Two joint services will be launched in May 2009, to coincide with the commencement of new annual service agreements:

~ a pendulum service - marketed by CMA CGM as the 'Columbus Loop' - via the Suez Canal linking Japan, China, South East Asia and the US East Coast; and a second service - CMA CGM's designated 'Hudson Loop' - via the Panama Canal connecting China, Korea with the USEC.

    Maersk said that the rationalisation co-operation would result in an 8% reduction [about 3,000 TEU per week] of its capacity between the Far East and the US as it continued in its quest of 'rightsizing' the trans-Pacific trade.

CMA CGM will provide 6 x 6,400 TEU vessels on its self-styled Columbus Loop, with Maersk contributing seven equal size ships.

For the Panama transiting service, each partner will deploy 4 x 4,300 TEU vessels.

Both carriers believe that the agreement will 'positively impact the industry, capacity and rates'.

This new VSA is the latest in an increasing number of co-operations concluded by ocean carriers against a background of flat or declining volumes and a very tough economic climate.