CMA CGM’s enhanced Eagle Express 1 makes maiden call at Port of Kobe, Japan

The CMA CGM Group, a global player in sea, land, air and logistics solutions, welcomed the 15,000 TEU container vessel PRESIDENT LB JOHNSON yesterday, on the occasion of the maiden call of its enhanced Eagle Express 1 (EX1) service at the Port of Kobe. By introducing additional Japan port calls and maintaining a weekly frequency, EX1 offers shippers faster and more reliable access from Japan to the U.S. West Coast, reinforcing the Group’s commitment to strengthening supply chain resilience and expanding access to global markets.

Connecting Japan to the U.S. West Coast with Enhanced EX1 Service

Eagle Express 1 (EX1) is enhanced to further reinforce Japan’s connectivity to the U.S. West Coast through improved port coverage and competitive transit times. This weekly U.S. flag service supports optimized frequency and reliability for Japan exporters and importers.

EX1 features additional port calls in Japan – Kobe, Nagoya and Yokohama on the outbound leg to the U.S. Cargo from these ports will arrive in Los Angeles in 16 days, 15 days and 13 days, respectively. With the improved network design, shippers benefit from fast, dependable transit to the U.S. West Coast, and a more resilient supply chain supported by CMA CGM’s strategic terminal presence in Los Angeles (FMS), Busan (BNC) and Yokohama (Honmoku D5).

Shippers in Japan benefit from improved connectivity to selected U.S. inland destinations through on-dock rail at Los Angeles (FMS), enabling day-definite arrival and predictable delivery to key Midwest and Southern U.S. markets, supporting more resilient end-to-end supply chains.

The enhanced EX1 service follows this port rotation: Qingdao – Busan – Kobe – Nagoya – Yokohama – Los Angeles – Oakland – Yokohama – Naha – Busan – Qingdao.

Ocean Rise Express (OCR) Complements CMA CGM’s Japan Network

In addition to EX1, the Ocean Rise Express (OCR) service provides shippers with direct connections from Japan to major Northern European gateways, offering best in market transit times and enhanced schedule reliability. From Yokohama, cargo is expected to arrive in Rotterdam in 38 days, Hamburg in 41 days and Southampton in 45 days.

OCR rotation: Kobe – Nagoya – Yokohama – Xiamen – Yantian – Rotterdam – Hamburg – Southampton – Nansha – Kobe.

Hideki Uchida, Representative Director and President, CMA CGM Japan said, “We are delighted to mark the maiden call of our enhanced Eagle Express 1 service in Kobe. By expanding Japan port coverage and offering competitive transit times to the U.S. West Coast, EX1 delivers greater value, reliability and speed for our customers in Japan. Ocean Rise Express further strengthens our network by enhancing Asia-Europe connectivity, reflecting our continued commitment to resilient supply chains and service excellence.”