HMM launches inaugural service to West Africa

Korea's Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) is to enter the North Europe-West Africa container trade for the first time by slot-purchase on CMA CGM-Delmas Nigeria Express service (Nigex), reports Shipping Gazette. The new service will be rebranded by HMM as NES with a turnaround of seven weeks deploying seven 2 500-2 800 TEU ships, reports Alphaliner. HMM extends its coverage to Africa, which was previously limited to East Africa in slot shares on the Swahili Express/GIA loop by CMA CGM-Delmas and Emirates Shipping Line. It also shares slots on a Far East-East Africa service of the AEF. The Nigex is the second service to West Africa from North Europe by Delmas, with the other Eurad, offering a nine-day turnaround using seven vessels in the 2 400-3 500 TEU range in a shuttle from Portugal to Tangier and Angola.