THE FRENCH line CMA CGM has re-entered the SA shipping scene, with Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) as its local agents. The line's return is initially through an agreement with Chile's CSAV, with CMA-CGM slot-chartering space on CSAV's vessels in the Good Hope Express (GEX) service. It is, therefore, marketing a named-day, weekly service through a circular port rotation of Keelung-Yokohama-Nagoya-Kobe-Busan-Hong Kong-Singapore-Durban-Santos-Buenos Aires-Rio Grande-Paranagua-Rio de Janeiro-Santos and return eastbound. The first vessel carrying CMA CGM cargo, the Norsul Icarai, recently called at Durban - and is currently sailing for the Far East. The first bound for South America is the CSAV Singapore - due in Durban on July 1. "In our study of what the line offers SA shippers," said ISS marketing manager, Rod Eaton, "we were very impressed with its high-quality global network of services." This is to be a focus of Eaton's initial marketing efforts, he told FTW. "The CMA CGM cross-trade services are an added dimension to the line's South America-SA-Far East service," he said. "And we hope to grow this as well. "Considerable interest has already been shown by local shippers in the options in this network - with the Caribbean and Central America initially raising the most excitement."
