French container shipping giant CMA CGM is continuing to aggressively expand new acquisition Cheng Lie Navigation's (CNC Line) network with four new services this month.
The new services follow the start of three others in September as CMA CGM looks to boost its intra-Asia business as well as expand the Taiwanese carrier into new markets such as the Indian subcontinent. Marseilles-based CMA CGM, the world's third-largest boxship operator, bought CNC in April.
The first of CNC's new services this month will be a joint feeder and dedicated reefer operation with Singapore-based Sea Consortium called Strait Pakistan Express (SPX). Starting Oct. 7, the SPX will use three 1,600-TEU ships on a rotation of Singapore, Port Kelang, Colombo, Karachi, Mundra, Pipavav and Singapore.
On Oct. 10, CNC will begin operating one 1,100-TEU vessel, its owned Kuo Chang, on a shuttle service between Thailand’s Laem Chabang and Malaysia’s Port Kelang called Thailand Malaysia Express (TMX). Pendulum Express Line will partner on the service.
Nine days later on Oct. 19, CNC will launch a joint service with Chinese carrier SITC Container Lines connecting China, Thailand and Vietnam. The China 3 will deploy three 1,000-TEU vessels -- two from CNC and one from SITC -- calling Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, Laem Chabang, Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Shanghai and back to Qingdao.
CNC will independently launch the North Vietnam Express (NVX) on Oct. 21 with one 580-TEU ship making a round trip of Haiphong, Quinhon, Hong Kong and Haiphong.
“These developments, implemented under CNC’s new leadership, demonstrate the willingness of Cheng Lie Navigation to become a leading actor in the intra-Asia market,” said Capt. Igal Dafni, CNC president and chief executive officer.