CMA CGM Group has officially launched its enhanced Eagle Express 1 (EX1) service, with the inaugural call made by the 15,000-TEU container vessel M/V PRESIDENT LB JOHNSON at the Port of Kobe. This strategic enhancement strengthens maritime connectivity between Japan and the U.S. West Coast—delivering shorter transit times, greater schedule reliability, and expanded port coverage across key Japanese gateways.
The upgraded EX1 service now includes weekly calls at Kobe, Nagoya, and Yokohama. Estimated transit times from these ports to Los Angeles are as follows: 16 days (Kobe), 15 days (Nagoya), and 13 days (Yokohama). These improvements support more predictable end-to-end logistics planning for Japanese exporters and importers.
To reinforce supply chain resilience, the service leverages CMA CGM’s integrated terminal network—including FMS Terminal in Los Angeles, BNC Terminal in Busan, and Honmoku D5 Terminal in Yokohama. In Los Angeles, on-dock rail connectivity facilitates expedited inland distribution to major Midwest and Southern markets, enhancing overall logistics efficiency.
The EX1 loop operates on a fixed weekly rotation: Qingdao → Busan → Kobe → Nagoya → Yokohama → Los Angeles → Oakland → Yokohama → Naha → Busan → Qingdao.
Complementing EX1, CMA CGM has also reinforced its Asia–Europe offering through the Ocean Rise Express (OCR) service, providing direct Japan–Northern Europe connectivity. From Yokohama, estimated transit times are 38 days to Rotterdam, 41 days to Hamburg, and 45 days to Southampton. The OCR rotation is: Kobe → Nagoya → Yokohama → Xiamen → Yantian → Rotterdam → Hamburg → Southampton → Nansha → Kobe.
According to Mr. Hideki Uchida, Regional Managing Director for Japan, these enhancements reflect CMA CGM’s sustained commitment to optimizing trade lane performance—specifically by advancing speed, reliability, and end-to-end integration for Japanese customers. The expansion aligns with broader industry efforts to fortify transpacific and Asia–Europe networks amid evolving global supply chain requirements.
Resource.: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/OPZuzJFtzFAQQ3JBG2M7MQ