CMA CGM leads the way with 18,000 teu transpacific service

摘要

CMA CGM plans to deploy a loop of 18,000 teu-class ships on the Pacific after completing successful trials with a vessel of this class over the past couple of months. The decision was announced in early March as the 17,800 teu CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin headed back to Asia, following its second series of calls along the US west coast. Six 18,000 teu ships, all named after great explorers, will be deployed from the end of May between Asia and the US west coast in CMA CGM's Pearl River Express. The decision by CMA CGM to upgrade its transpacific services clashes with the views of some other industry leaders who are not convinced this is a suitable trade for such large ships, given the relatively short ocean voyage compared with the Asia-Europe trades. Economies of scale are maximised while the ships are at sea.