The ‘2M’ Alliance made up of Maersk Line and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and the ‘Ocean Three Alliance’ composed of CMA CGM, China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL) and United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) have chosen Malta Freeport Terminals as their main transhipment hub in the Central Mediterranean, Malta Freeport announced this morning.

"This is a significant accomplishment for Malta Freeport Terminals which clearly attests that the Freeport’s facilities offer carriers the required infrastructure and equipment to operate the largest vessels," it said.

The Freeport is now offering its clients 17 weekly mainline services, which are complemented by an extensive number of weekly feedering services. A total of 128 ports all across the globe can now be reached from Malta Freeport.

"The increased regular global network connections available from the port are providing the local importers and exporters remarkable opportunities to boost the efficiency and competitiveness of their business operations," the freeport said.

‘MSC Capella’ was the first vessel to call at Malta Freeport Terminals
on the commencement of services by the 2M Alliance yesterday. The first two containerships of the Ocean Three Alliance, which called simultaneously at Malta Freeport last week were ‘Xin Qin Huang Dao’ and ‘CMA CGM Butterfly”.  

CMA CGM is the third-largest container shipping company worldwide. CMA CGM transports a volume of 12.1 million TEUs each year, operates a fleet of 445 vessels, its fleet’s slot capacity is 1.648 million TEUs and serves 400 ports. The carrier is present in more than 150 countries through its network of over 650 agencies. CMA CGM’s largest containerships have a capacity of 16,000 TEUs. Such ships make up nearly 20% of the CMA CGM fleet.

CMA CGM is represented in Malta by Carmelo Caruana Company Limited.

China Shipping Container Lines, which is affiliated to China Shipping Group, is the 7th largest global container shipping line. By the end of 2015, the carrier will have a fleet of 156 vessels representing a total capacity of 724,000 TEUs. 87 out of the 156 ships are above 4,000 TEU, totalling 620,000 TEU. The ‘CSCL Globe ’, the first of five similar-sized vessels to be introduced into its service between Europe and Asia this year, is amongst the world’s largest vessels with a capacity of 19,100 TEUs. CSCL’s container ships are calling at more than 180 ports regularly in over 60 countries and regions.

The local shipping agent for China Shipping Containers Lines is Medsea Shipping Agency.

2 M Alliance

A.P. Moller - Maersk Group also known as Maersk, has been the largest containership operator and supply vessel operator in the world since 1996. Maersk Line has a fleet of 607 vessels with a capacity of over 2.97 million TEUs, and around 11 million full containers are shipped annually. 

Maersk Line are represented in Malta by Thomas Smith& Company Limited

Mediterranean Shipping Company is the second world’s leading ocean carrier, with over 480 agency offices in 150 countries and a fleet of 497 vessels with a capacity of 2.55 million TEUs.  MSC ‘Oscar’ currently holds the title as the world’s biggest container ship and is able to carry 19,224 TEUs.

Mediterranean Shipping Company is represented in Malta by John Ripard & Sons Ltd.

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