CMA CGM is introducing a direct service between India and the US West Coast as part of another reconfiguration of its Asian shipping network, only weeks after unveiling a new Japan-Europe express service scheduled to begin in early April.
The Marseille-based carrier will extend the rotation of its Pearl River Express, which previously linked South China with the US West Coast, to include the Indian subcontinent. The revamped weekly loop will use around 13 vessels with capacities ranging from 10,000 to 13,000 TEUs.
Under the new structure, the service will call at four subcontinent ports: Nhava Sheva and Mundra in western India, Karachi in Pakistan, and Colombo in Sri Lanka. Eastbound, the revised rotation will run from Nhava Sheva, Mundra, Karachi and Colombo through Singapore, Haiphong, Xiamen, Nansha and Yantian before reaching Los Angeles. Westbound, vessels will call Los Angeles, Gwangyang, Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, Shekou, Singapore, Nhava Sheva, Mundra and Karachi, according to CMA CGM India.
The new rotation appears aligned with the current restrictions affecting Pakistan transit cargo at Indian ports. CMA CGM said the service enhancement is intended to improve connectivity and expand trade options for India-US West Coast cargo.
According to the carrier, the revised Pearl service will offer an exclusive direct connection from West India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to Los Angeles. The launch voyage is scheduled to begin with the 10,000-TEU APL Qingdao departing Nhava Sheva on March 30, with a declared transit time of 47 days to Los Angeles.
The service will compete directly with Ocean Network Express’ Pacific South 3, which is currently the only other direct offering on the trade and provides a faster 36-day transit from Nhava Sheva to Los Angeles.
Until now, CMA CGM has largely relied on transshipment through Asian hubs to serve India-US West Coast volumes, using feeder connections via its Asia-Subcontinent Express service, which calls at Nhava Sheva and Mundra.
The move comes as market expectations improve for India-US trade. Industry sentiment has been supported by easing tariff tensions between the two countries and ongoing trade negotiations. Spot rates from Nhava Sheva to Los Angeles for late-March sailings were reported at around $2,500 per FEU, up from roughly $1,500 currently.
Demand data also points to renewed momentum. According to PIERS, Indian exports to the US West Coast reached 19,117 TEUs in January, the highest level since September.
