The Hindu Business Line : CMA CGM plans to upgrade Vasco Express

CMA CGM, world’s third largest and France’s number one container line, proposes to upgrade its Vasco Express service between South America’s east coast and the Persian Gulf, also linking India. The upgraded service will be effective from November 6, according to company sources.

The essence of upgradation will be like this: Mainly transporting refrigerated cargo, the Vasco Express will now be operated in partnership with CSAV (Compania Sud Americana de Vapores), the Chilean shipping line that is currently the largest in South America. Also, higher capacity vessels will be deployed – eight 1,700-TEU capacity vessels (each equipped with 350 reefer plugs), up from the seven vessels when the service was launched in February this year. Next, Jebel Ali has been added to the rotation. Finally, the upgraded service will be a weekly service.

The port of rotation, therefore, now becomes: Santos- Paranagua- Itajai-Rio Grande-Khor Fakkan-Jebel Ali-Damman-Bandar Abbas-Nhava Sheva-Durban-Santos.b The changes are also likely to reduce transit time between Rio Grande and the Persian Gulf by two days.