CMA CGM & Maersk doubles-up on service for growing Africa trade
CMA CGM and Maersk are set to deploy their surplus 13,000 TEU ships for their collaborative Far East-West Africa service, effectively replacing the existing 5,000-7,000 TEU vessels operated by the French carrier on the same route.
The upgraded FW1/WAX service, as reported by Linerlytica, is scheduled to begin on December 5th, beginning with the 13,302 TEU Maersk Edirne, featuring a 13-week turnaround period.
In a joint effort, Maersk and CMA CGM will contribute a total of 13 vessels, ranging from 13,300 to 13,800 TEU, resulting in a significant capacity doubling for the service. The expanded route includes calls at strategic ports, such as Qingdao, Gwangyang, Shanghai, Ningbo, Shekou, Nansha, Singapore, Tanjung Pelepas, Tema, Lekki, Abidjan, Pointe Noire, Colombo, Singapore, Xiamen, and Qingdao.
This move positions FW1/WAX as the second West Africa service utilizing vessels of this size, following MSC’s Africa Express, which operates ships ranging from 13,000 to 15,000 TEU. Notably, the upgraded service now features a new direct call at Abidjan, establishing direct links with major markets in Asia.
According to Linerlytica analyst Tan Hua Joo, the capacity doubling of the FW1/WAX service is primarily driven by CMA CGM, with Maersk joining as a vessel operating partner. Both companies will deploy their excess 13,000 TEU ships on this route. However, many major carriers are grappling with the challenge of excess capacity, which is expected to exert downward pressure on freight rates across secondary routes, not only in Africa but also in Latin America, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent.
While CMA CGM and Maersk cascade vessels into mid-haul lanes, the container trade in Africa is experiencing growth amid regional development. Container Trade Statistics indicate that, so far this year, Asia-Africa trade has grown by approximately 20% year on year, despite the global decline in container traffic from the peak influenced by the Covid-19 pandemic.
CMA CGM and Maersk are also planning revisions for the FW2/WAX3, calling at Singapore, Tanjung Pelepas, Lome, Apapa, Onne, Cotonou, and Singapore. Starting from December 24th, the fleet for this service will consist of 10 ships ranging from 4,400 to 7,000 TEU, marking an increase from the previous fleet's capacity of around 4,500 TEU each.
Angola's Single Window & Lobito Corridor
Protocol on Single Port Window signed in Angola’s Lobito
In Lobito, Angola, a three-party agreement known as the Single Port Window protocol was recently executed. This agreement involved the participation of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, the International Maritime Organization, and the local port. The primary objective of the protocol is to streamline and expedite commercial activities between ports and their collaborators, thereby enhancing trade facilitation.
To support the implementation of this protocol, the JUP digital platform was introduced. This platform is specifically designed to simplify various processes within the transportation sector, with a particular focus on expediting goods clearance. The successful execution of this project is anticipated to serve as a valuable model for other countries seeking to enhance their capabilities in international maritime transport.
The signatories to the protocol included Gavin Yao, the deputy director of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, Martina Fontanet from the International Maritime Organization, and Celso Rosas, Chairman of the Board at the Port of Lobito. Following a successful trial period in Lobito, there are plans to extend the project to encompass all other ports across the country.
Angolan President discusses the development of the Lobito Corridor with US president Joe Biden
The two Heads of State focus on bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, climate and energy, and in particular the development of the Lobito Corridor. The Lobito Corridor is a strategic outlet to export markets for Zambia and DRC, connecting 40% of Angola’s population and several large-scale investments in agriculture and retail. The Trade Facilitation Project aims to accelerate growth in domestic and cross-border trade along the Lobito Corridor through the implementation of harmonized trade facilitation instruments, strengthening coordination of joint corridor development activities, and fostering effective participation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in value chains.
Cameroon Logistic Area
The Port Autonome de Douala (PAD) and SAPRO Logistics Cameroon (SLC) signed an agreement on December 21, 2023, to develop a 15-hectare logistics area and truck parking at the Douala-Bonabéri Port. The project, creating 250 direct and 800 indirect jobs, aligns with the Douala-Bonabéri Port's 2050 development plan. Funding will be entirely provided by SAPRO Logistics Cameroon, without PAD or the Cameroon government's guarantees. This development program focuses on upgrading existing infrastructure and expanding to a new deep-water port site called Manoka in Douala VI.
10th anniversary of Yaounde COC
Ten years following the implementation of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, a maritime security framework in the Gulf of Guinea, the Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre (MMCC) for the E zone took a pause on December 13, 2023, to evaluate its impact in the ECOWAS maritime domain. The gathering attracted representatives from diplomatic missions, regional organizations in Benin, and the High Command of the Gulf of Guinea States. The objective of the Yaoundé Code is to consolidate resources in the fight against transnational organized crimes at sea. While stakeholders celebrated the decrease in piracy incidents, they underscored the importance of ongoing collaboration to ensure a secure maritime environment.