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Tuesday 19th of March 2024, 05:34 CET |
Black Sea trade benefits from Asia-Mediterranean growth |
September 9, 2003
Lloydslist
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Written by Janet Porter
Posted by HW on March 18, 2024
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Asia trade Countries bordering the Black Sea stand to benefit from the dramatic growth in trade between Asia and the Mediterranean. For the first time direct container services from the Far East to Black Sea destinations are being launched in place of feeder links from Mediterranean hubs.
Growing interest The decision by CMA CGM and Mediterranean Shipping Co to inaugurate similar services almost simultaneously is coincidence but reflects growing interest in this part of the world.
Faster transit times Customers will have the advantage of considerably faster transit times, says Christine Cabau, CMA CGM's vice-president for Asia, Gulf and Mediterranean services. In some cases the time saving may be as much as five days with ships in CMA CGM's new Bosporus Express between Shanghai and Constantza scheduled to take 25 days.
Strength What prompted the decision to start a direct service was the strength of the Mediterranean trades, said Ms Cabau. For the first time volume growth on Asia-Mediterranean routes was faster than on services to northern Europe during the opening half of this year. CMA CGM's new service, due to start next weekend with seven 22-knot ships of about 2,300 teu nominal capacity, will also free space on its existing Asia-Mediterranean services.
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Bosporus Express The French line, which has been serving Black Sea and eastern Mediterranean destinations by transhipment from Malta until now, will also take the opportunity to reorganise its Mediterranean feeder network as its Bosporus Express begins.
Imbalanced CMA CGM and MSC, whose Tiger Service will start early next month, will both be calling at Constantza and Illychevsk on the Black Sea as well as Istanbul. CMA CGM also has an Odessa call. The trade will be heavily imbalanced, with very little moving in the eastbound direction which will be used mostly as a repositioning leg, said Ms Cabau. |
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