CMA CGM and Maersk Reorganise Far East–West Africa Services

CMA CGM and Maersk are reorganising their joint service coverage on the Far East-West Africa trade lane, responding to surging demand and MSC’s aggressive deployment of ultra-large containerships to the corridor. The restructuring comes after Far East-West Africa volumes grew more than 30% in 2025 — the highest-growing corridor in Container Trade Statistics’ global figures for the year, according to The Loadstar.

The scale of that demand spike has transformed a trade lane once considered secondary into a focal point for capacity investment by the world’s largest liner operators. MSC moved first, committing ultra-large containerships to the route during 2025. CMA CGM and Maersk’s announcement this week represents a direct competitive response, though specific details — vessel sizes, rotation changes and frequency adjustments — were not disclosed.

All three of the world’s top container lines are now actively expanding their commitment to West African trades. West African port infrastructure will face mounting pressure as larger vessels arrive, with terminal capacity and draught restrictions at several regional ports already constrained.