Virginia is first US East Coast stop for CMA CGM’s upgraded Chesapeake Bay Express vessel service

The containership CMA CGM Centaurus made its first US East Coast stop today at The Port of Virginia® signaling the beginning of ocean carrier CMA CGM’s Chesapeake Bay Express (CBX) service that directly links the port with several important Asian markets. The vessel is owned by the France-based CMA CGM Group, which is a global player in sea, land, air and logistics solutions.

“This is a long-time customer leveraging our efficiency to its advantage,” said Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. “The cargo owners are going to be the real beneficiaries because a first-in port call allows them to get their cargo quicker and it gives cargo owners more markets – more options – for moving their exports and imports. Given the upgrade in the size of the vessels that are being deployed in the service and our new capabilities at NIT’s South Berth [Norfolk International Terminals], we are ready for any increase in volume.”

With Ed Aldridge, president of CMA CGM and APL North America, and W. Sheppard Miller III, Virginia secretary of transportation looking on, Edwards ceremoniously welcomed the CMA CGM Centaurus to the port. The 11,400-TEU (twenty-foot-equivalent unit) vessel filled with furniture, household goods and consumer products called NIT.

“Our new Chesapeake Bay Express service is yet another symbol of the CMA CGM Group’s commitment to ensuring our customers’ supply chains keep moving and their businesses continue to grow,” Aldridge said. “We are known for our flexible operating methodology and The Port of Virginia’s strategic infrastructure investments give us an even greater ability to optimize operations for our customers.