The CMA CGM Group has launched a new, direct service between the east coast of North America and the west coast of South America, with calls in Panama, Peru and Chile. Dubbed the Black Pearl service, it is part of the ongoing operational agreement between CMA CGM and Mediterranean Shipping Co. SA (MSC). According to the carrier, the new service is in response to growing market demand for refrigerated cargoes from Chile and Peru to Philadelphia and New York. Beginning in mid-January on a weekly basis, the route will provide fixed-day, weekly service at six main U.S. ports (Port Everglades, Jacksonville, Savannah, Charleston, Philadelphia and New York), one connecting hub in Balboa, and four main ports on the west coast of South America (Callao, Arica, Valparaiso and Coronel). The service will directly link Chile and Peru with Philadelphia and New York, to meet demand for refrigerated cargoes in North America. The carrier will provide full intermodal coverage to U.S. inland ramps using on-dock rail services. The Black Pearl service will deploy a fleet of seven vessels, each with capacity of 4,000 twenty-foot equivalent units, operated by MSC.
