CMA CGM and COSCO Shipping Lines are increasing capacity on their joint Mediterranean-Middle East-Indian Subcontinent (MEDEX) service as Hapag-Lloyd is withdrawing from the service with the start of Gemini Cooperation on 1 February.
Alphaliner stated that CMA CGM, COSCO and the latter’s subsidiary OOCL have upgraded the service, with 10 ships from the French carrier, two by COSCO and one by OOCL. Currently, MEDEX is served by six ships from CMA CGM, five by Hapag-Lloyd and one by COSCO.
With 7,500 –9,300 TEU ships, MEDEX has been extended to include a call at Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Seaport (first call on 22 January), Colombo and Algeciras. The other ports in the original line-up are Jebel Ali, Karachi, Mundra, Nhava Sheva, Valencia, Piraeus, Marsaxlokk, Genoa, Fos, and Barcelona. Due to the addition of Khalifa, Colombo and Algeciras, MEDEX will have a 13-week turnaround, one more week than its previous line-up. Forward schedules show that MEDEX will continue to follow a Cape of Good Hope routing for the time being.
After the Israel-Hamas ceasefire was declared, some media reports suggested that CMA CGM would be the first carrier to return to Suez and Red Sea passages after the Houthi rebels announced that they would only attack Israeli-controlled ships.
Speculation arose after the 11,388 TEU CMA CGM Columba, which serves the North Europe – Middle East – Indian Subcontinent ‘EPIC’ service jointly operated by CMA CGM, COSCO and OOCL, was shown on vessel-tracking systems as being headed for Port Said and transiting the Suez on 23 January.
However, over the weekend, CMA CGM released a notice saying that it will continue to prioritise detours round the Cape of Good Hope.
The French operator said: “Given the ongoing tensions and associated risks for commercial vessels in certain areas, CMA CGM will for the time being continue to prioritize alternative routes, including a significant reliance on passage via the Cape of Good Hope. While this approach applies to the majority of our network, adjustments may be made on a case-by-case basis depending on security and global operational conditions.”
Alison Koo
Asia Correspondent
