In a context marked by an extraordinary rise in bunker costs, CMA CGM has decided to add a ninth vessel on its FAL3 service between Asia and Europe.

'Thanks to this additional vessel, the line will be operated in 63 days instead of 56, offering customers the benefit of an increased buffer in the schedule to absorb delays in the congested European ports,' explains Nicolas Sartini, Senior Vice-President Asia-Europe lines.

The deployment of this new vessel will also allow to reduce speed on the service, resulting in a lesser consumption of fuel and in a reduction of carbon emissions.

The rotation will remain the same, i.e. Qingdao > Ningbo > Xiamen > Chiwan > Yantian > Le Havre > Hamburg > Rotterdam > Zeebrugge > Southampton > Beirut > Jeddah > Port Kelang > Qingdao.

The addition of the ninth vessel became effective on December 2nd with the deployment of the Monte Tamaro, a 5,500 teu newbuilding to be introduced in the service in Qingdao.