French liner and world's third biggest shipping line, CMA-CGM expects to move 1.6 million TEUs at Westport this year. The CMA group, which also comprises of Delmas and ANL Shipping Lines, has recorded 1.35 million TEUs up till October this year. This has surpassed last year's total figure of 1.23 million TEUS, Westport said in a statement here today. CMA-CGM Malaysia managin director Simon Whitelaw says the growth from 700,000 TEUS in 2005 to current new records is possible due to the close cooperation and assistance rendered by the efficient system at Westports. CMA-CGM is also Westports numbr one customer. "We look forward to the continued growth and hope. To hit the 2 million mark next year, the volume will grow probably more in 2008 with a number of bigger ships coming into service," he said.
"From early next year, we would bring in the 11,500 TEUS vessels into service. CMA-CGM has ordered a fleet of such vessels to be delivered in the next two years," Whitelaw said after opening the CMA and ANL new office at the Westports Business Centre on Tuesday.
Also present was Westports executive director Ruben Emir Gnanalingam.
"The increase in capacity for the trade is only 15 percent when compared with the trade growth of 19 percent from Asia to Europe and 23 percent from Asia to the Mediterranean. We think the new ships will be able to meet the demand and the expected growth in the market next year," said Whitelaw.
He said CMA's recently acquired Taiwan-based Cheng Li Navigation or CNL will be developed into a major intra- Asia regional player.
CNL will become CMA's feeder arm in the Far East with increased services and linked with CMA's main line services.
On the rise in world oil prices, he said bunker costs are over 50 percent of vessel operating expenditure.
"Most lines will look to steam at economic speed to minimise bunker fuel consumption. That is why working with Westports is very important to get fast productivity and to catch up on schedule," he said.
CMA, Delmas and ANL's new office houses 90 staff at Wesports business center as vessel operations for the French liner has grown rapidly.
With transhipment activities on the rise, it makes sense for CMA, Delmas and ANL to move just beside the port.
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