We reported before that there were rumors in the market that CMA would start their own service on the TA. Here now more specific details:

 

 

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Dear valued Customer,

 

as you might be aware, our current SCA with MSL and MSC will soon be terminated and we are now glad to advise that a  NEW LIBERTY SOLO service will be launched in January 2015.

 

 

After several years of Slot Charter arrangements with various operators and taking advantage of the positive outlook of the Transat trade , CMA CGM has decided to start a stand alone service.

 

 

As complement to our VICTORY BRIDGE covering South Atlantic and US Gulf/Mexico ports, this new LIBERTY service will offer weekly sailings between North Europe and USEC including the North Atlantic ports of New York and Norfolk.

 

 

The new service pattern will be the following :

 

  • Fleet of vessels

A fleet of 5 vessels, 1700 teus nominal in the first stage, all operated solely by CMA CGM Vessels will be fitted with a minimum of 300 reefer plugs.

 

  • ROTATION in 35 days with following port coverage :

Antwerp – Rotterdam – Bremerhaven – Le Havre – New York – Norfolk – Savannah – Charleston  back to Antwerp

 

 

See below details and transit-time

 

ANTWERP

Monday

ROTTERDAM

Tuesday

BREMERHAVEN

Thursday

LE HAVRE

Saturday

 

 

NEW YORK

Monday

NORFOLK

Wednesday

SAVANNAH

Friday

CHARLESTON

Saturday

 

 

ANTWERP

Monday

 

 

 

TRANSIT TIME WESTBOUND

 

NYC

ORF

SAV

CHS

ANR

13

15

17

18

RTM

12

14

16

17

BRV

10

12

14

15

LEH

8

10

12

13

 

 

 

TRANSIT TIME EASTBOUND    

 

ANT

RTM

BRH

LEH

NYC

21

22

23

25

ORF

18

19

21

23

SAV

16

17

19

21

CHS

15

16

18

20

 

 

  • Allocation

The overall weekly allocation will be 1350 teus

 

  • First sailing

 

We are currently discussing with MSL and MSC to extend current Liberty2 & 4 until mid January 15.

Subject to their agreement to be received next week, the new LIBERTY SOLO service will then start the 3rd week of January 2015. The solo service will be operated minimum until mid 2015 when a new opportunity may materialize to upgrade the size of vessels through a new VSA partnership. In such case, CMA CGM would anyway keep her position as vessel provider and offer at least a similar allocation. We will keep you advised with more information as they develop.

 

 

Meantime, we are all eager to start this new challenge, whereby CMA CGM will finally be in the seat of vessel operator on the North Atlantic and be able to grow in this trade.

 

Further details like name of vessels and terminals will follow asap.

 

 

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