CMA CGM re-routes ships calling at ‘challenging’ Nigerian ports 

French container shipping company, CMA CGM has announced adjustments to its WAX 3 and MIDAS 1 services from Asia to Nigeria. 

In a notice posted on its website on Monday, CMA CGM said the adjustment is as a result of the “challenging operational environment and situation in Nigeria”. 

On October 5, 2018, the world’s third biggest container shipping company imposed a congestion surcharge on Lagos ports. 

“Due to the ongoing berth congestion in Lagos (Nigeria) which has been causing service disruptions involving increased operating costs and for the purpose of maintaining service quality, CMA CGM has decided to implement, as from October 15th, 2018 (BL date), an Emergency Port Congestion Surcharge on cargoes heading to the ports of Apapa and Tincan, as follows: USD400/unit,” the container carrier had posted on its website on October 5. 

In its latest advisory to customers, the company said, “In a challenging operational environment and situation in Nigeria, CMA CGM wishes to share the latest update of our WAX 3 and MIDAS 1 services serving respectively the Asia-Nigeria route and India Subcontinent Middle East Gulf-Nigeria route.

To continue delivering the premium quality service in Nigeria with high reliability and service continuity you expect from us, CMA CGM will make the following changes with immediate effect and until further notice:

“WAX 3: Effective m/v SAFMARINE CHACHAI voy. 08W1RW1MA. WAX 3 serves 2 ports in Nigeria: Apapa and Onne on direct and weekly basis from Asia.

“Tincan continues to be promoted. It is routed through Pointe Noire WB in relay on MIDAS 1 service. Port coverage: Xiamen–Shanghai–Ningbo–Nansha–Singapore–Tanjung Pelepas-Walvis Bay–Pointe Noire (hub for Tincan)–Apapa–Onne–Pointe Noire–Tanjung Pelepas–Xiamen. 

“MIDAS 1: Effective m/v HAMMONIA AMERICA voy. 0MS1NW1MA. MIDAS 1 serves Tincan Lagos on direct and weekly basis from India Subcontinent Middle East Gulf. Cargo bound to Apapa will be routed in relay through Pointe Noire on WAX 3 service.

“To Onne, there is no change to the present routing, it is loaded on Onne feeder service. 

“MIDAS 1 port coverage: Jebel Ali–Khorfakkan–Mundra–Nhava Sheva–Colombo–Durban–Pointe Noire (hub for Apapa)–TinCan–Cotonou–Tema–Port Elizabeth–Durban–Jebel Ali. 

“We thank you for the continued support to CMA CGM services and shall keep you closely posted of further developments.” 

The implication of the latest review on freight rate remains unclear.