Terry Hutson HONG Kong-based Gold Star Line (GSL), the major partner in the West Africa Express Service (WAX) service also involving CMA-CGM and CSCL, intends withdrawing at the end of September and will instead link up with the French operator Delmas. The two lines intend operating a joint service between Asia and West Africa utilising seven 1700-TEU ships on a nine day cycle initially. GSL will provide six of these and Delmas the other with the service being upgraded with a further vessel by the end of the year and increasing the frequency to seven days. The agreement, which is confined to operations as both carriers maintain separate sales and marketing, kick-starts at the end of September with a service rotation of Singapore, Port Kelang, Colombo, La Reunion, Durban, Tema, Lagos (Tin Can), Cotonou, Lome, Abidjan, Colombo and Singapore. FTW understands that CMA CGM and China Shipping (CSCL) will continue on the route with a new joint WAX II service, using seven 1,700-TEU vessels on a ten day cycle, with the intention of a weekly service once three further ships are added. The WAX II service will also add Lagos to its rotation.
