CMA CGM opens Japan-Europe route amidst reliability push

The new service will link Kobe, Nagoya, and Yokohama directly to North Europe ports.

CMA CGM has marked the maiden call of its Ocean Rise Express (OCR), a new weekly shipping service linking Japan directly to North Europe, at the Port of Kobe.

The OCR service has transit times of 38 days from Yokohama to Rotterdam, 41 days to Hamburg, and 45 days to Southampton.

The company said in a press release that the service aims to improve schedule reliability and shorten delivery times for shippers. It adds a new service on the Asia–Europe trade lane.

CMA CGM TOSCA, an 8,000 TEU vessel, carried out the inaugural call at Kobe, Nagoya, and Yokohama in Japan, followed by Xiamen and Yantian in China, before heading to Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Southampton.

The rotation then continues to Nansha and returns to Kobe, the company added.

Separately, the company will enhance its Eagle Express 1 (EX1) service connecting Japan to the United States West Coast.

The updated service will include additional port calls at Kobe, Nagoya, and Yokohama, with transit times to Los Angeles of 16 days, 14 days, and 12 days, respectively.

The EX1 service will operate weekly and begin sailings from Kobe on 5 May 2026, rotating across Qingdao, Busan, Kobe, Nagoya, Yokohama, Los Angeles, Oakland, Yokohama, Naha, Busan, and Qingdao.