CMA-CGM Calls on Port Pipavav

News was prepared under the information support of Online Daily Newspaper on Hellenic and international Shipping "Hellenic Shipping News".

30 Sep 2010

APM Terminals Pipavav recently welcomed the CMA CGM Mozart marking the beginning of an important new relationship. CMA CGM is the world’s third largest container shipping company and is ranked number one in France. Significantly, Port Pipavav has won CMA CGM’s upgraded CIMEX service in a year when several new shipping lines and services have elected to call on Port Pipavav.
“International shipping lines are increasingly recognising the strategic importance of the hinterland around Port Pipavav and its excellent access into North West India. We are delighted to welcome the prestigious CMA CGM line adding to our valued list of container shipping partners,” said Ashley Dinning, Chief Commercial Officer, APM Terminals Pipavav.
“Port Pipavav’s catchment area has a huge growth potential for the shipping companies we work with. With the continued increases in rail connectivity to the port we will add to the value equation for our customers. We wish CMA CGM every success in this important region of India,” Dinning added.
With the inclusion of CMA CGM to Port Pipavav, Port Pipavav has added four new services in 2010 ytd to its portfolio of services calling on the port.   The NEW CIMEX 2 service, which links Asia/China to India and Pakistan, is operated in partnership with Maersk Line. Six ships will cover the service, with weekly calls at Port Pipavav and the rotation is Kwangyang, Busan, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Da Chan Bay, Tanjung Pelepas, Colombo, Pipavav, Nava Sheva, Port Qasim, Port Klang, Tanjung Pelepas, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kwangyang.
Port Pipavav achieved a remarkable 65 percent growth in volumes in 2009, in a year in which the worldwide container market declined by 12 percent and cargo volumes in the catchment area of North West India declined by 4.3 percent. In 2010 ytd, the port has already registered around 50% volume growth over last year.  The new service from CMA CGM would further grow cargo volumes and strengthen the port’s market position in India.
Port Pipavav will continue to capitalise on its strategic location, being merely 153 nautical miles from Mumbai, its well developed port infrastructure and high quality service, to strengthen its position as a leading port operator in Gujarat. Future growth is well catered for, with only 485 of the available 1561 acres at the port developed to date. The large tract of land available will be utilised for setting up tank farms, warehouse and other storage facilities.

Source: CMA-CGM