The Cai Mep International Terminal received a call this week from CMA CGM’s Laperouse, the largest container ship to call on a Vietnamese port, foreshadowing the wave of ultra large ships to be deployed on the Asia-Europe trade lane.
The French carrier will add more ships similar to size as the Laperhouse, which has 13,830 20-foot equivalent units of capacity, on the Asia-Europe trade lane, starting in March. The terminal, built through a joint venture between the Vietnam-based Saigon Port, Vietnam National Shipping Lines and APM Terminals, opened in March.
CMA CGM LAPEROUSE
“With Cai Mep being the last load port in the future FAL1 rotation before sailing direct to Southampton, the need for deep water access and a terminal equipped to handle these leviathans has never been greater” said Jean-Charles Tassoni, general director of CMA CGM Vietnam.
Through their recently announced partnership, CMA CGM and Mediterranean Shipping in March will deploy 44 ships of more than 11,000 TEU capacity. The carriers expect to receive another 21 vessels of more than 13,000 TEUs over the next 12 months, and the majority of the ships will be deployed on the Asia-North Europe and Asia-Mediterranean routes.
The Journal of Commerce Online