Six-Ship CMA CGM Cargo-Passenger Service Via Suez Of Interest To Canadians: Vancouver to Halifax 55 Days, Halifax to Vancouver In 71

CMA CGM La Scala is one of six ships offering a new cargo-passenger service between Vancouver and Halifax via Suez

The addition this month of Halifax to CMA CGM’s Columbus Loop service to and from Asia via Suez and across the Pacific to Vancouver presents a new cargo-passenger service that will be of interest particularly to Canadians.

The shorter route is westbound: Vancouver – Nadkhodka – Shanghai – Hong Kong – Yantian – Vung Tau – Port Kelang – Suez Canal – Halifax. The time in transit is 55 days, the longest stretch of which is the last 23 days from Port Kelang to Halifax. Vancouver embarkations take place at the Deltaport container terminal, near BC Ferries’ main Vancouver-Victoria terminal at Tsawwassen.

The longer eastbound route sails Halifax – New York – Norfolk – Savannah – Suez Canal – Port Kelang – Vung Tau – Hong Kong – Yantian – Shanghai – Ningbo – Pusan – Seattle – Vancouver. This takes 71 days, the longest stretch of which is 37 days from Savannah to Port Kelang. Halifax passengers will board at the Halterm container terminal.

This route also lends itself to a Round-the-World service if VIA Rail and/or Rocky Mountaineer is used between Halifax and Vancouver or vice versa. In recent years, the number of passenger-carrying ships engaged on the Columbus Loop service has been doubled and six of the seventeen ships in this servidce now carry passengers. On average, this means there is now a passenger sailing every 21 days or so, but with gaps.

The six French-owned vessels providing the passenger service are the CMA CGM Almaviva, Cendrillon, Dalila, Figaro, La Scala and CMA CGM Titus, each carrying seven (7) passengers in en suite accommodation with private lounge and separate bedroom. While Vancouver has been a call for this service for several years, the first passenger calls at Halifax are scheduled as follows:

CMA CGM Cendrillon makes her first Halifax call on August 16

CMA CGM Cendrillon – August 16
CMA CGM Titus – October 4
CMA CGM La Scala – November 1
CMA CGM Figaro – November 8
CMA CGM Dalila – November 22
CMA CGM Almaviva – December 13
CMA CGM Cendrillon – December 20

Fares including port charges (and complimentary table wine with lunch and dinner) are €100 per person per day and passengers may also use the service to travel between the Far East and either coast of North America. While the ships travel through the Mediterreanen in both directions they do not make any calls in Europe, meaning long transits for those who like to be at sea.

For further details on booking a voyage on CMA CGM’s Columbus Loop please contact Miri Lopusna at The Cruise People Ltd in London on +44 (0)20 7723 2450 or e-mail cruisepeopleltd@aol.com.