CMA CGM Welcomes the Maiden Call of Its New Ocean Rise Express Service at the Port of Kobe
The CMA CGM Group welcomed the maiden call of its new direct service between Japan and Europe, the Ocean Rise Express (OCR), at the Port of Kobe. The company has also enhanced its EX1 service connecting Japan and the US West Coast, significantly improving supply chain resilience and global market access for shippers.
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- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 08:55
- 🔍 Collected: April 3, 2026 at 01:00
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Kobe, April 2, 2026
The CMA CGM Group, a global player in sea, land, air, and logistics solutions, welcomed the maiden call of its new weekly direct service between Japan and Europe, the Ocean Rise Express (OCR), at the Port of Kobe today.
This initiative reaffirms the Group's ongoing commitment to strengthening the resilience of Japan's supply chains and expanding its access to global markets.
**OCR Service Providing Direct Connection Between Japan and Europe**
The Ocean Rise Express (OCR) offers shippers a direct connection between Japan and major ports in Europe, realizing market-leading transit times and high schedule reliability. Cargo departing from Yokohama is scheduled to arrive in Rotterdam in 38 days, Hamburg in 41 days, and Southampton in 45 days. Operated by CMA CGM, the OCR accelerates cargo arrival and helps shippers shorten their time-to-market. In an era where supply chain predictability is more critical than ever, this value represents a significant advantage.
Today's maiden call was made by the 8,000-TEU vessel, CMA CGM TOSCA. Following its stops in Nagoya and Yokohama in Japan, the vessel will head to Europe via Xiamen and Yantian in China.
The OCR rotation is as follows:
Kobe – Nagoya – Yokohama – Xiamen – Yantian – Rotterdam – Hamburg – Southampton – Nansha – Kobe
**Connecting Japan and the US West Coast via the Enhanced EX1 Service**
Furthermore, CMA CGM has enhanced its Eagle Express 1 (EX1) service to further boost connectivity between Japan and the US West Coast through expanded ports of call and competitive transit times. This will further strengthen the convenience and competitiveness of shipments from Japan to the North American West Coast.
This service is operated as a weekly service by a US Flag vessel, achieving optimized operational frequency and high reliability. The EX1 service will newly add Kobe, Nagoya, and Yokohama as Japanese ports of call. Cargo from these respective ports will arrive in Los Angeles in 16, 14, and 12 days.
With the improved network design, shippers will not only enjoy rapid and stable transit times to the US West Coast but will also be able to build a more resilient supply chain by leveraging CMA CGM's strategic terminal hubs located in Los Angeles (FMS), Busan (BNC), and Yokohama (Honmoku D5).
This weekly service will commence operations with the vessel departing the Port of Kobe on May 5, 2026. The rotation is as follows:
EX1 Rotation: Qingdao – Busan – Kobe – Nagoya – Yokohama – Los Angeles – Oakland – Yokohama – Naha – Busan – Qingdao
Hideki Uchida, President of CMA CGM JAPAN K.K., stated the following:
"We are delighted to welcome the maiden call of the Ocean Rise Express at the Port of Kobe today. The launch of this service reaffirms Japan's strategic importance in CMA CGM's global network, enhancing connectivity between Asia and Europe while providing our Japanese customers with further value and high schedule reliability.
Additionally, the enhancement of Eagle Express 1 further boosts connectivity between Asia and the United States, reflecting our top priority of providing timely transportation solutions and our continuous commitment to reliability and service quality."
[Image: Commemorative ceremony for the maiden call at the Port of Kobe]
**CMA CGM in Japan**
CMA CGM has been operating in Japan since 2007, managing 15 services across 14 ports nationwide. With 5 offices and approximately 200 employees, the company provides a comprehensive maritime transport network connecting Japan with major global markets. Through its logistics arm, CEVA Logistics, the CMA CGM Group also offers comprehensive end-to-end logistics solutions in Japan, further strengthening its integrated supply chain services.
**About the CMA CGM Group**
The CMA CGM Group is a global player in sea, land, air, and logistics solutions, operating under the corporate purpose "We imagine better ways to serve a world in motion."
The Group operates in 177 countries with 160,000 employees, of which approximately 6,000 are based at its headquarters in Marseille.
As the world's third-largest shipping company, CMA CGM serves over 420 ports across 5 continents with a fleet of over 700 vessels, transporting more than 24 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) in 2025. CEVA Logistics, a subsidiary of the Group, is a top 5 global logistics company operating 1,000 warehouses and handling 15 million freight shipments in 2025. The air cargo division operates freighter aircraft under the CMA CGM AIR CARGO and Air Belgium brands.
In addition, CMA Media, France's third-largest private media group, operates RMC-BFM, national and regional newspapers such as La Tribune Dimanche, La Tribune, La Provence, and Corse Matin, as well as the social media platform Brut.
The CMA CGM Group is actively promoting energy transition with the goal of achieving net-zero carbon by 2050.
The CMA CGM Foundation is committed to promoting education and equal opportunity worldwide, and utilizes the Group's shipping and logistics expertise to transport relief supplies during humanitarian crises. To date, it has delivered 120,000 tons of humanitarian aid to 106 countries and supported over 630 educational projects.
https://www.cma-cgm.com/local/japan-agencies
Contact:
press-relations@cma-cgm.com
The CMA CGM Group, a global player in sea, land, air, and logistics solutions, welcomed the maiden call of its new weekly direct service between Japan and Europe, the Ocean Rise Express (OCR), at the Port of Kobe today.
This initiative reaffirms the Group's ongoing commitment to strengthening the resilience of Japan's supply chains and expanding its access to global markets.
**OCR Service Providing Direct Connection Between Japan and Europe**
The Ocean Rise Express (OCR) offers shippers a direct connection between Japan and major ports in Europe, realizing market-leading transit times and high schedule reliability. Cargo departing from Yokohama is scheduled to arrive in Rotterdam in 38 days, Hamburg in 41 days, and Southampton in 45 days. Operated by CMA CGM, the OCR accelerates cargo arrival and helps shippers shorten their time-to-market. In an era where supply chain predictability is more critical than ever, this value represents a significant advantage.
Today's maiden call was made by the 8,000-TEU vessel, CMA CGM TOSCA. Following its stops in Nagoya and Yokohama in Japan, the vessel will head to Europe via Xiamen and Yantian in China.
The OCR rotation is as follows:
Kobe – Nagoya – Yokohama – Xiamen – Yantian – Rotterdam – Hamburg – Southampton – Nansha – Kobe
**Connecting Japan and the US West Coast via the Enhanced EX1 Service**
Furthermore, CMA CGM has enhanced its Eagle Express 1 (EX1) service to further boost connectivity between Japan and the US West Coast through expanded ports of call and competitive transit times. This will further strengthen the convenience and competitiveness of shipments from Japan to the North American West Coast.
This service is operated as a weekly service by a US Flag vessel, achieving optimized operational frequency and high reliability. The EX1 service will newly add Kobe, Nagoya, and Yokohama as Japanese ports of call. Cargo from these respective ports will arrive in Los Angeles in 16, 14, and 12 days.
With the improved network design, shippers will not only enjoy rapid and stable transit times to the US West Coast but will also be able to build a more resilient supply chain by leveraging CMA CGM's strategic terminal hubs located in Los Angeles (FMS), Busan (BNC), and Yokohama (Honmoku D5).
This weekly service will commence operations with the vessel departing the Port of Kobe on May 5, 2026. The rotation is as follows:
EX1 Rotation: Qingdao – Busan – Kobe – Nagoya – Yokohama – Los Angeles – Oakland – Yokohama – Naha – Busan – Qingdao
Hideki Uchida, President of CMA CGM JAPAN K.K., stated the following:
"We are delighted to welcome the maiden call of the Ocean Rise Express at the Port of Kobe today. The launch of this service reaffirms Japan's strategic importance in CMA CGM's global network, enhancing connectivity between Asia and Europe while providing our Japanese customers with further value and high schedule reliability.
Additionally, the enhancement of Eagle Express 1 further boosts connectivity between Asia and the United States, reflecting our top priority of providing timely transportation solutions and our continuous commitment to reliability and service quality."
[Image: Commemorative ceremony for the maiden call at the Port of Kobe]
**CMA CGM in Japan**
CMA CGM has been operating in Japan since 2007, managing 15 services across 14 ports nationwide. With 5 offices and approximately 200 employees, the company provides a comprehensive maritime transport network connecting Japan with major global markets. Through its logistics arm, CEVA Logistics, the CMA CGM Group also offers comprehensive end-to-end logistics solutions in Japan, further strengthening its integrated supply chain services.
**About the CMA CGM Group**
The CMA CGM Group is a global player in sea, land, air, and logistics solutions, operating under the corporate purpose "We imagine better ways to serve a world in motion."
The Group operates in 177 countries with 160,000 employees, of which approximately 6,000 are based at its headquarters in Marseille.
As the world's third-largest shipping company, CMA CGM serves over 420 ports across 5 continents with a fleet of over 700 vessels, transporting more than 24 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) in 2025. CEVA Logistics, a subsidiary of the Group, is a top 5 global logistics company operating 1,000 warehouses and handling 15 million freight shipments in 2025. The air cargo division operates freighter aircraft under the CMA CGM AIR CARGO and Air Belgium brands.
In addition, CMA Media, France's third-largest private media group, operates RMC-BFM, national and regional newspapers such as La Tribune Dimanche, La Tribune, La Provence, and Corse Matin, as well as the social media platform Brut.
The CMA CGM Group is actively promoting energy transition with the goal of achieving net-zero carbon by 2050.
The CMA CGM Foundation is committed to promoting education and equal opportunity worldwide, and utilizes the Group's shipping and logistics expertise to transport relief supplies during humanitarian crises. To date, it has delivered 120,000 tons of humanitarian aid to 106 countries and supported over 630 educational projects.
https://www.cma-cgm.com/local/japan-agencies
Contact:
press-relations@cma-cgm.com
FAQ
What are the benefits of the Ocean Rise Express (OCR)?
It offers market-leading transit times, such as 38 days from Japan to Rotterdam, and high schedule reliability to shorten lead times.
How has the EX1 service been enhanced?
Kobe, Nagoya, and Yokohama have been added to improve connectivity between Japan and the US West Coast, reaching Los Angeles in just 12 days.
When will the new services begin?
The OCR has already made its maiden call, and the enhanced EX1 service will begin with a vessel departing Kobe on May 5, 2026.