CMA CGM has announced the addition of New Orleans to its Gulf Bridge Express service, which links the Gulf Coast with the Caribbean and South and Central American ports.

'The upgrading of this service allows CMA CGM to strengthen its coverage of the US Gulf and the Caribbean, where its network is already significant, broadening the scope of the service for its customers,' said CMA CGM Vice President Antilles Guyane. 'The direct call to New Orleans provides new opportunities for CMA CGM imports as well as exports, through our dedicated hub of Kingston, Jamaica.'

The company, based in Marseilles, France, is the third-largest container shipping company in the world. The first CMA CGM Gulf Bridge Express vessel will call on the Port's Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal Oct. 1.

'This new service strengthens New Orleans' connections to Central and South American markets,' said Port President and CEO Gary LaGrange. 'It will also allow shippers access to CMA CGM's extensive worldwide services. We are excited to market new opportunities to our customers and are grateful to our valued partners at CMA CGM. This is truly an exciting time for the Port of New Orleans.'

In 2010, the Port set new records for container volumes at the Port ' moving 427,000 TEUs, or twenty-foot-equivalent units. For the first six months of 2011, the terminal outpaced year-ago figures by 15 percent.

The CMA CGM's weekly service includes New Orleans, Altamira, Vera Cruz, Kingston, Puerto Cabello, and LaGuaira.