Tripoli Port becomes
transshipment hub for E.Asia

CMA CGM will start sending mother ships in August

CMA CGM has launched a direct route between China and Southeast Asia to North Europe, passing through Port of Tripoli (PoT), as a transshipment port.

The route will become operational as of August 16. “This move will transform the port from a secondary hub into a primary one,” said PoT Director Ahmad Tamer.

CMA CGM ships up to 200 TEUs (twenty foot equivalent units) per week. Starting next month, at least 800 TEUs will pass through PoT per week. Feeder vessels will then move the merchandise to neighboring ports.

CMA CGM was using Malta’s port as a primary transshipment hub, where feeder vessels would be sent to PoT. Its strategy has since changed, particularly following its 20 percent acquisition of Gulftainer, the company that manages PoT.

Freight costs will drop by at least 20 percent, according to Tamer. “Prices will become very convenient for merchants and importers. It will increase demand and hence, encourage other shipping lines to use our port,” he said.

The first mother ship to arrive, Nerval, is 300 meters long, and has a gross tonnage of 73,000.