CMA CGM Launches Direct Japan-Europe Shipping Route Amidst Industry Shifts

France’s CMA CGM, the world’s third-largest container shipping company, is set to launch a new direct shipping route connecting Japan and Europe in April 2026. This move comes as Japan’s Ocean Network Express (ONE) discontinues its direct Japan-Europe service, creating a gap in the market that CMA CGM aims to fill.

Addressing a Critical Trade Lane

The new service, dubbed Ocean Rise Express (OCR), will link Japan and South China directly to North Europe, offering improved transit times and schedule reliability on a key East-West trade lane. According to CMA CGM, the OCR service is designed to lower the risk of cargo loss, boost on-time performance, and accelerate time-to-market for shippers [Splash247].

Service Details and Port Rotation

The OCR service will operate weekly and will be fully operated by CMA CGM, utilizing a fleet of 14 vessels ranging from 7,000 to 10,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units). The port rotation will include:

• Kobe
• Nagoya
• Yokohama
• Xiamen
• Yantian
• Rotterdam
• Hamburg
• Southampton
• Nansha

The inaugural sailing is scheduled to depart from Kobe on April 2, 2026, aboard the CMA CGM Byblos [Splash247]. Transit times from Yokohama to Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Southampton are estimated at 38, 41, and 45 days, respectively. From Yantian, the service offers transit times of 32, 35, and 38 days to the same European ports [Splash247].

Strategic Implications and Industry Response

Bo Wegener, CEO of CMA CGM Asia Pacific, emphasized the strategic importance of the Asia-Europe trade within the company’s global network. He stated that the enhanced connectivity demonstrates CMA CGM’s commitment to delivering value and reliability to its customers and strengthening its position in global trade [Splash247].

The launch of the OCR service directly addresses the void left by ONE’s decision to discontinue its direct Japan-Europe pendulum service. ONE is implementing a new feeder network connecting Japan to its hub in Busan to maintain connections to Europe [The Loadstar].

Independent Operation and Cape of Good Hope Route

Notably, the OCR service will be operated independently by CMA CGM, without involvement from its Ocean Alliance partners. The route will transit via the Cape of Good Hope, and will be serviced solely by CMA CGM vessels, suggesting a move outside of existing alliance structures [Splash247].