CMA CGM pushes back US West Coast mega-boxship plan: Alphaliner

While the French line has been running trial calls with the 17,800 teu CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin between Asia and the US West Coast since December 2015, a plan to add another five sister vessels for a regular string from the end of May.

It would have marked the first time that a line deployed such large containerships into US ports on a regular basis, breaking the current 100% reliance on the Asia – Europe trade.

“These plans appear now to have been shelved after freight rates on the FE (Far East) -USWC route plunged to record lows,” Alphaliner said.