CMA CGM Group announces the upgrading of its SEAS service (linking Asia, Brazil and Argentina) with, firstly, the introduction mid-June 2011 of a second loop and,

secondly, the deployment of 6,500 TEU vessels. These are among the biggest on this market, allowing CMA CGM to maintain the highest level of service for its customers.

The new configuration, developed in partnership with CSAV and CSCL, enables CMA CGM to meet growing demand in this market, with the following improvements:

• Faster transit times to Brazil: with connections between Port Kelang and Paranagua reduced by 10 days and between Pearl Delta River ports and Itajai by 7 days (compared to the current SEAS service)
• Better port coverage including Xiamen, Kaoshiung, Shekou, Nqura and Montevideo
• A high-performance fleet of 21 vessels with 11 x 6,500 TEUs deployed on SEAS 1 and 10 x 4,000 TEU vessels on SEAS 2.

The rotation of the service will be as follows:

SEAS 1: Pusan, Shanghai, Ningbo, Chiwan, Hong Kong, Port Kelang, Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Rio Grande, Paranagua, Santos, Durban, Port Kelang, Hong Kong and back to Pusan

SEAS 2: Shanghai, Ningbo, Xiamen, Kaohsiung, Hong Kong, Shekou, Port Kelang, Santos, Paranagua, Itajai, Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Ngqura, Singapore, Hong Kong and back to Shanghai

"The reinforcement of this service is further evidence of the Group’s ability to adapt rapidly to changes in the market, while supporting the growth of its customers on the Asia – Latin America trade,” explains Jean-Yves Duval, Vice-President Caribbean and South America Lines, CMA CGM.

The new service will start its first rotation with, on the first loop, the MAULLIN (CSAV vessel) sailing from Pusan on June 8th.

Source: CMA CGM