From April 2024, CMA CGM will operate an upgraded NRX (North Red Sea Express) service in partnership with Folk Maritime, the pioneering independent short-sea operator in Saudi Arabia. 

The upgraded service will link the Islamic port of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia to NEOM, the ports of Sokhna in Egypt, Aqaba in Jordan and Yanbu in Saudi Arabia on the Northern Red Sea, expanding logistics capacity in the Northern Red Sea and reinforcing Saudi Arabia's growing strategic position as a global logistics hub.

The weekly service will provide two vessels transshipping cargo from Jeddah's Islamic port terminals, Red Sea Gate Terminal (RSGT) and DP World Jeddah (DPW Jeddah).

It aims to meet the growing needs of the region's market and trade, while ensuring the smooth handling of goods and seamless delivery to local organizations.

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NRX will meet the needs of customers looking to expand into these key regional ports. It will also help reduce carbon emissions by providing a reliable and efficient alternative shipping solution between Jeddah, NEOM and Yanbu.

The first crossing of the NRX service will be made from Jeddah on April 9, 2024 by the M/V JIN SHUN HE.

Olivier Nivoix, Executive Vice President of CMA CGM Group Lines, said: "CMA CGM is delighted to partner with Folk Maritime on this enhanced service linking the ports of Jeddah to the growing market needs of NEOM and other key ports in the northern Red Sea.

"This service will not only contribute to the expansion of Saudi Arabia's logistics capabilities in the northern Red Sea, but will also serve our customers with an improved offering in this key region where the CMA CGM Group has been pioneering direct calls to the port of NEOM since March 2023."

TLME