FRENCH carrier CMA CGM will receive the 12,552-TEU ship CMA CGM Alaska this month, which will join its Far East-North Europe FAL 1 service.

Industry analyst Alphaliner said the ship will become the largest unit on the loop, currently operated with 11 vessels of 9,500 to 11,400 TEU.

CMA CGM will also boost its Asia-North Europe FAL 3 service by more than 10 per cent with six new 11,356 TEU ships from March.

The ships are currently lying idle at the Hyundai shipyard waiting to be commissioned. They will replace six of the ten 8,500 to 9,600-TEU ships currently plying the FAL 3 service.

The current average weekly capacity of 9,025-TEU will then pass the 10,000-TEU mark. The first ship will be phased in on March 20.

Two other major carriers are also boosting their Far East-Europe capacities in anticipation of increased volumes in the post-Lunar New Year period.

Maersk Line will inject 13,092 TEU of newbuildings on its AE-7 loop and on another as yet undetermined loop, while MSC goes on with its capacity increases with a succession of 12,500 to 14,000-TEU newbuildings coming on stream.