CMA CGM has launched its new KILIMA service. The company described it as a standalone weekly direct service from China to Kenya and Tanzania, with the first call at Mombasa taking place on 24 August.
The official announcement
According to the official announcement, the service rotation includes Shanghai, Ningbo, Guangzhou (Nansha), Singapore, Colombo, Mombasa and Dar es Salaam, before returning to Singapore and Shanghai.
The KILIMA service
Whereas the KILIMA service offers full coverage of Asian ports through transshipment in Singapore. Colombo is included in the rotation to connect trade to and from East Africa and to handle volumes from India’s East Coast.
The Male Shuttle service
Cargo for the Maldives is to be served from Colombo through the dedicated Male Shuttle, with the first departure scheduled for 25 August 2025.
Operated with eight vessels ranging
 It is noteworthy that CMA CGM stated that the service will be operated with eight vessels ranging from 3,500 to 5,000 TEU, with the CMA CGM TARRAGONA of 4,231 TEU making the inaugural voyage in early August.
X-Press Feeders
X-Press Feeders will take slots on the new service, following the cancellation of its allocation on CMA CGM’s ASEA-Tanzania loop.
KILIMA features are the following:
- Connecting Far East to Kenya, Tanzania & Indian Ocean
- The service is CMA CGM weekly standalone direct service from China to Kenya and Tanzania (1st call August 24th in Mombasa)
- Full coverage of Asian ports via efficient transshipment in Singapore
- Service calling Colombo from China to and from East Africa
- Connecting volumes ex India East Coast in relay via Colombo
- Male served in relay via Colombo with MALE SHUTTLE dedicated service operated by CMA CGM (1st departure from Colombo August 25th, 2025)
- Zanzibar, Tanga, Longoni and Tamatave cargo served in relay via Mombasa with KARIBU
- Port Victoria, Mogadishu, Nacala and Comoros served in relay via Lamu with NOURA & KARIBU
- Inland connectivity to landlocked countries: Uganda, South
- Sudan, Rwanda, Zambia, Malawi & DRC
Related : CMA CGM Reflags Largest-Ever Containership Under U.S. Flag
