CMA CGM partners with Saudi firm for Red Sea service

Saudi Arabia’s feeder and short-sea shipping operator Folk Maritime partners with CMA CGM for Red Sea new service.

Poul Hestbaek-led Saudi-owned company Folk Maritime has announced a new service connecting the KSA ports of Jeddah Islamic Port, Neom, and Yanbu to the Red Sea ports Sokhna and Aqaba.

This new weekly service, which will start in April 2024, will provide two vessels catering to cargo transshipping from either of Jeddah’s two terminals.

As the Saudi company reports, the aim is to “facilitate the growing market and trade needs of the region, whilst simultaneously ensuring the smooth handling of cargo and seamless delivery to local organizations.”

“The service will cater to the needs of box-operating customers who seek growth within these port segments,” it says.

The new service will be operated in partnership with leading container owner and operator CMA-CGM, with each partner operating a vessel on the weekly service.

Poul Hestbaek, chief executive of Folk Maritime, said: “I’m proud to announce our new service linking Jeddah Islamic Port with key regional destinations, in the North Red Sea.

“This service, in partnership with CMA-CGM, marks a significant step in enhancing Saudi Arabia’s capacity as a global logistics hub and reinforces our commitment to drive growth and connectivity within the maritime sector.”

^{Source: Folk Maritime.}