CMA CGM Launching Early Container Return Incentive Program

On May 12, CMA CGM announced that it will implement the first Early Container Return Incentive Program in the shipping industry.

The purpose of this move is to speed up the return of empty containers in the United States and increase supply chain fluidity.

It is understood that the scope of implementation of this plan includes the Fenix Marine Services (FMS) terminal in the Port of Los Angeles, and all CMA CGM's return points in Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City and Memphis. The implementation period is from May 16 to July 15, 2022, for a period of 60 days.

CMA CGM expects that this incentive program will expedite the return of about 43,000 dry boxes to the market.

The specific content of the reward program includes:

- If the dry box can be returned to an eligible drop-off point within 4 working days after the box is picked up, a reward of $300 per box will be awarded.

- Reward points are calculated weekly and a points memo is issued to each importer (consignee listed on the bill of lading) every 14 days.

- By utilizing EDI transaction data to evaluate points, no additional documentation is required from the client.

Ed Aldridge, president of CMA CGM America and APL North America, said: "CMA CGM is committed to improving the fluidity of the U.S. supply chain, and the new program can incentivize U.S. importers to return containers as soon as possible, while increasing the number of U.S. exporters' containers. availability to expedite the flow of U.S. imports and exports.”

Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, said: "Through this incentive program, CMA CGM is facilitating the flow of goods in and out of the Port of Los Angeles and helping U.S. exporters ship products faster around the world. CMA CGM has always been a reliable port of Los Angeles. A partner and a driving force for change during the current surge in freight demand.”

CMA CGM said that in recent days, the shipping industry has experienced an unprecedented surge in freight demand, resulting in severe congestion in the supply chain across North America, and U.S. exporters are particularly affected. The lack of containers makes it more difficult for their goods to enter the market in a timely manner.

It is worth noting that this new measure is another incentive plan implemented by CMA CGM in the United States after the implementation of the "Early Pickup Incentive Plan" in the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

On November 29, 2021, CMA CGM announced that it would invest more than US$22 million in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in the United States to implement the "Early Pickup Container Incentive Plan" to speed up the circulation of containers in these two ports and help customers offset the supply Additional costs for chain strain.