Maersk and CMA CGM Expand New Far East – West Africa Service

In view of rising demand, Maersk and CMA CGM announced the joint launch of new and optimized Far East – West Africa services. Container vessels Maersk Campbell (15,413 TEU) and CMA CGM Bali (14,812 TEU) are scheduled to make their maiden voyages from Qingdao, China at the end of March 2026.

“We are adding a completely new service to accommodate the increasing demand on the Asia – West Africa corridor. This expansion reflects the long-term development of the region. By splitting the current FEW3 rotation into two focuses services, FEW3 and FEW1, we reduce complexity and add flexibility.”

Maersk Spoekesperson

In 2025, the Far East – West Africa corridor experienced the fastest growth of any container route in the world, registering a record 30% year-on-year growth. To ensure a weekly frequency, both shipping lines are planning to deploy larger container carriers and a greater number of ships on this itinerary. COSCO will continue to act as a tonnage provider, while OOCL and Hapag-Lloyd will operate as slot charterers.

The FEW1/WAX1 loop is as follows: Qingdao, Ningbo, Nansha, Shekou, Singapore, Abidjan, Lekki, Kribi, Vung Tau, Qingdao. The key destination port is Lekki, which serves the large Nigerian market. The transit time from Nansha to Lekki is approximately 28 to 30 days. existing. This new FEW1 service complements existing ones, serving East Africa (Safari) and South West Africa (FEW6).