CMA CGM announced that its SSL Short Sea Lines Division is launching RUFEX 5, a new short sea intra far east weekly service, deployed between China/South Korea to the Russian far east starting from week 30 from China ports.

In a statement, the container line said this fourth operated loop linking the ports of Shanghai, Qingdao, Busan and Vostochny completing its RUFEX Product is aimed at optimizing worldwide supply chain dynamics to/from Russia. 

"It will bring a consistent sustainable alternative to your Russian hinterland flows using our multimodal solutions via our Russian Far East gateway with an additional frequency," it added.

The vessels have a nominal average capacity of 1,740 TEUs and 1,078 TEUs — following this rotation (14 days): Shanghai, Qingdao, Vostochny, Busan and Shanghai with a weekly frequency.

CMA CGM said the transit times from Shanghai to Vostochny is 6 days, while Qingdao to Vostochny is 4 days. Meanwhile, Vostochny to Busan is 1.5 days.

The berthing days are Tuesdays for Shanghai, Qingdao on Thursdays, Vostochny on Tuesdays, and Busan on Saturdays.