The CMA CGM Group, the world’s third largest container
shipping company, announced Sept. 8 the signing of three major agreements with
United Arab Shipping Corp. (UASC) and China Shipping Container Line (CSCL).
The agreements combine vessel sharing, slot charter and slot
exchange, plus build upon an existing plan by UASC and CSCL to cooperate on an
18,000 TEU vessel trade agreement. The agreements, completed under the
collective name of Ocean Three, cover Transpacific, Asia-United States East
Coast, Asia-Europe and Asia-Mediterranean maritime trade routes.
The Transpacific trade is to consist of four weekly services
to California and one service to the Pacific Northwest, while the Asia-US East
Coast trade will consist of service via the Suez Canal and one service
dedicated to the Gulf of Mexico.
The Asia-Europe trade is to consist of four weekly services
added with two existing services, thereby offering six departures per week. The
Asia-Mediterranean trade is to consist of four weekly services: two to the
Mediterranean, one to the Adriatic and one to the Black Sea.
The agreements on Transatlantic trade are being finalized
and will be announced at a later date, according to CMA CGM.
“This will allow us to propose to our clients a high quality
and reliable alternative to existing services on the market,” CMA CGM Vice
Chair Rodolphe Saadé said.
These agreements are pending authorization from the US
Federal Maritime Commission.
