The world’s second- and third-largest container shipping companies have announced the signature of a major agreement. The two family[ds_preview]-owned companies, the Swiss-Italian MSC and France’s CMA CGM, agreed to form a broad-based operating partnership spanning several trades, including Asia–Northern Europe, Asia–Southern Africa and all of the South American markets.
The reorganization of its services is to be implemented in early April 2012 on the Asia–North Europe trade. Following these changes, CMA CGM will operate a total of 28 vessels in the 9,500–14,000 TEU range under the various FAL services. The new Loop FAL 1 will be operated by CMA CGM with eleven vessels of 13,800–14,000 TEU, the new FAL 3 with eleven vessels of 11,400 TEU, FAL 2 remains unchanged. MSC activates FAL 7 with eleven 14,000 TEU ships, Loop FAL 9 will be operated jointly with nine vessels of 9,500 TEU (five of CMA CGM, and four of MSC).
