Two of the world’s largest liners are joining forces to offer a unique Europe – Oceania service.
MSC and CMA CGM have announced the formation of a new vessel sharing agreement for the trade from Europe to the Indian Ocean and Australia.
From mid-September 2019, the carriers will operate a joint service which will return from Australia to Europe via Southeast Asia and the Indian Subcontinent.
With the launch of their joint service, CMA CGM and MSC will be the only carriers to offer direct services between Europe and Australia, according to Alphaliner. All the other main carriers serve Oceania via transhipment in Southeast Asia.
A fleet of 14 ships of about 9,500 teu will be deployed on the new service which replaces MSC’s Australia Express service and CMA CGM’s New North Europe Med Oceania service, which is jointly operated with Hapag-Lloyd.
The ships deployed on the new service will be the largest to call at Australia in the ongoing global supersizing of container shipping.
