KEY POINTS
- Severe Atlantic storms have forced CMA CGM to move several container vessels into secure holding positions for safety.
- The weather event, characterized by exceptional intensity and duration, is primarily impacting coastlines from Morocco to the English Channel.
- Global shipping leaders, including Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, warn of industry-wide delays as terminal operations stall across Europe.
French shipping titan CMA CGM has announced emergency safety measures for its fleet as a massive weather system batters the Atlantic Ocean. The company confirmed on Thursday that it is relocating several vessels to secure zones to protect crew members and cargo. This decision comes as an “exceptional” storm event continues to disrupt major maritime corridors with unusual intensity and persistence.
The affected area spans a massive stretch of the Atlantic coastline, reaching from southern Morocco to the entrance of the English Channel. Specifically, the Bay of Biscay has become a primary concern due to dangerous navigation conditions. To mitigate these risks, the CMA CGM Group has established holding positions in safe harbors, including the Seine Bay and Gibraltar.
This precautionary move follows a string of recent maritime challenges for the carrier. Just last week, the vessel m/v “CMA CGM Tiga” lost 58 containers overboard during a violent storm near Malta. That incident also resulted in significant damage to additional cargo secured on the deck. By proactively anchoring ships now, the company aims to avoid similar losses during the current Atlantic front.
The disruption is not isolated to a single carrier, as the entire European shipping sector faces a logistical logjam. Rival companies, such as Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, have issued their own advisories regarding cargo flow interruptions. Heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures are further complicating land-side operations, causing congestion at major terminals in Spain, Portugal, and France.
Operations at several Mediterranean ports have slowed significantly or stopped entirely to ensure worker safety. These pauses in terminal activity are creating a ripple effect across the global supply chain. Logistics experts warn that the combination of delayed vessels and backlogged ports will likely lead to longer wait times for both imports and exports.
CMA CGM has mobilized its global teams to monitor the weather patterns in real-time. The company expects to resume normal transit schedules as soon as conditions stabilize for a sustained period. In the meantime, the group remains in constant contact with customers to provide tracking updates and alternative routing solutions where possible. This proactive stance highlights the increasing need for fleet flexibility during extreme winter weather cycles.
