CMA CGM and its subsidiary Delmas are starting a new service, the Africa Express (AFEX), which will be dedicated to the north Asian markets effective in January. The move is intended to meet the strong demand for container transport triggered by the boom of Chinese exports to Africa.
At the same time, the group plans to reorganise its WAX service (West Africa Express) and the ASAF (Asia Africa) service by re-allocating vessels and revising port of calls. A ninth ship will be commissioned on the WAX line.
Under the new arrangements, the AFEX service will deploy initially eight 1,700-2,000-TEU vessels and will link Northern Asia (Northern China, South Korea) to the centre and north of West Africa with calls in Port Louis/Mauritius and Durban/South Africa en route.
The revised WAX service will deploy ten 1,700- 2,000-TEU ships that will serve the major ports in central and northwest Africa, namely Ghana, Benin, Togo and the Ivory Coast.
The upgraded ASAF service will connect the south and centre of West Africa, including Angola, Congo (DRC), Congo (Brazzaville), Gabon and Cameroon with nine 1,700-TEU ships.
The French shipping line said in a statement the changes are being implemented to offer faster transit times through direct services and increased frequency, with a view to rolling out three weekly services in the longer term.
At the same time, the group plans to reorganise its WAX service (West Africa Express) and the ASAF (Asia Africa) service by re-allocating vessels and revising port of calls. A ninth ship will be commissioned on the WAX line.
Under the new arrangements, the AFEX service will deploy initially eight 1,700-2,000-TEU vessels and will link Northern Asia (Northern China, South Korea) to the centre and north of West Africa with calls in Port Louis/Mauritius and Durban/South Africa en route.
The revised WAX service will deploy ten 1,700- 2,000-TEU ships that will serve the major ports in central and northwest Africa, namely Ghana, Benin, Togo and the Ivory Coast.
The upgraded ASAF service will connect the south and centre of West Africa, including Angola, Congo (DRC), Congo (Brazzaville), Gabon and Cameroon with nine 1,700-TEU ships.
The French shipping line said in a statement the changes are being implemented to offer faster transit times through direct services and increased frequency, with a view to rolling out three weekly services in the longer term.