CMA CGM ship

French shipping group CMA CGM has reported that container volumes climbed 21 per cent in the first quarter of the year when compared with the same period last year.

Revenues increased by 29 per cent through the quarter, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation stood at US$380m (€302m), compared with a loss of US$260m (€206m) in 2009.

The group has also revealed that it has taken delivery in South Korea of two new vessels, the 11,400 TEU CMA CGM Callisto and the 6,500 TEU CMA CGM Lamartine.

Callisto will be deployed on the French Asia Line (FAL 5) service operated between Asia and north Europe, with a rotation of Ningbo, Shanghai, Yantian, Tanjung Pelepas, Port Kelang, Le Havre, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Port Kelang and Singapore.

Meanwhile, Lamartine is deployed on the Mediterranean Express (MEX) service, starting its rotation in Yokohama and calling at Kobe, Pusan, Kwanyang, Shanghai, Ningbo, Xiamen, Chiwan, Hong Kong, Port Keland, Berut, Malta, Valencia, Barcelona, Fos, Genoa, Naples, Malta, Damietta, Khorfakkan, Port Kelang, Chiwan and Yokohama.