CMA-CGM hits record 1m TEUs at Westports
CMA-CGM, Westports' top customer, last Thursday hit a record one million TEUs (20-foot equivalent units), the first time that the French shipping line hit its annual one million mark.The one millionth container was brought on to the CMA-CGM Rigoletto, a 9,400-TEU vessel that sails on the French-Asian Liner (FAL) II service route.Rigoletto, together with another similar sized vessel - the CMA-CGM Norma, recorded a combined total moves of 7,000 TEUs at the port.CMA-CGM is expected to contribute 1.1 million TEUs to Westports' total of 3.7 million TEUs by the end of this year.The increase from 750,000 TEUs in 2005 to 1.1 million TEUs this year represents a 47 per cent increase in volume for CMA-CGM at Westports.The port itself is expected to notch a 26 per cent growth in volume from 2.9 million TEUs achieved last year, thus giving Westports a 60 per cent market share at Port Klang."The immaculate growth that we are seeing today is a testament to the productivity and skilled workforce that Westports possesses, and we are certainly delighted to participate in this Malaysian success story," CMA-CGM Malaysia managing director Simon Whitelaw said in a statement."We chose Westports to handle our increasing volume and bigger vessel as we believe the port is now among the most productive hubs in the world," he added.Earlier, Whitelaw and Westports executive director Ruben Emir Gnanalingam welcomed the arrival of the one millionth TEU at a simple ceremony at the port. Joining them were staff from both companies.
"This is indeed a memorable occasion for us at Westports. The achievement by CMA-CGM shows that main line operators continue to demonstrate their confidence in Malaysia, especially Westports, which continues to notch double-digit growth year after year," said Gnanalingam.Today, CMA-CGM operates 279 ships, making it the third largest container shipping company in the world. It has 350 ports of call worldwide.In June last year, Westports inked a 15-year deal with CMA-CGM to establish a long-term commitment with the French liner.Under the agreement, CMA-CGM is to use Westports as its major transshipment hub for the next 15 years.