Maersk and CMA CGM End Service to Venezuela
Maersk Line and CMA CGM are set to discontinue their joint service connecting the United States to Venezuela as U.S. President Donald Trump intensifies political and economic pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. This service, previously known as the Ceiba Express, operates at several key ports, including Port Everglades, Kingston, La Guaira, Puerto Cabello, Cartagena, Puerto Cortes, and Santo Tomas de Castilla. Utilizing two CMA CGM vessels and one from Maersk, the service typically has a three-week turnaround but will cease operations at the end of the month. According to Alphaliner, it remains unclear whether this decision is directly linked to the Trump administration’s recent policies regarding Venezuela.
Maduro was sworn in for a third term in January amid allegations of electoral fraud following polls held in July 2024. On April 8, the Trump administration revoked licenses previously granted by President Joe Biden to BP and Shell, allowing them to extract natural gas from projects in Venezuelan waters intended for Trinidad and Tobago. These licenses had exempted BP and Shell from sanctions against Venezuela, and similar actions were taken against Chevron, Repsol, and ENI in March.
From week 17, CMA CGM will continue to serve Venezuela from its Kingston hub in Colombia and Jamaica, launching a new service called the Veneziola Shuttle. This weekly loop will cover Cartagena, Kingston, La Guaira, and Puerto Cabello, utilizing the CMA CGM Pemba and CMA CGM Fort Saint Louis, with a two-week turnaround.
In a customer advisory, CMA CGM stated that the discontinuation of the Ceiba Express service was part of a response to business restructuring and changing market needs. The Veneziola Shuttle will allow CMA CGM to maintain competitive and dedicated coverage in the market, connecting cargo from South Florida with its CAGEMA 2 service, as well as integrating traffic from Central America through its Yuka service.
Maersk, on the other hand, will utilize its Venezuela feeder service to operate from its Manzanillo hub in Panama, with a loop that calls at Manzanillo (Panama), Cartagena (Colombia), La Guaira, Puerto Cabello, and Almirante.
Implications:
The decision to end the shipping service to Venezuela is likely influenced by the increasing political and economic pressure exerted by the U.S. government under President Trump. Over the past few years, the administration has implemented a series of sanctions aimed at crippling the Maduro regime, which it considers illegitimate due to allegations of election fraud and human rights abuses.
By revoking licenses that allowed companies like BP and Shell to operate in Venezuela, the Trump administration signals a hardline approach intended to limit the Venezuelan government’s access to foreign investment and resources. This shift in policy creates a more hostile environment for international shipping and business operations in the region, discouraging companies like Maersk and CMA CGM from maintaining their services.
The discontinuation of the Ceiba Express service reflects the broader ramifications of U.S. sanctions, which not only impact Venezuelan imports and exports but also lead to uncertainties for shipping companies. With heightened risks and potential legal complications associated with doing business in Venezuela, shipping lines may choose to withdraw rather than navigate an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.
As the geopolitical situation evolves, the implications for trade routes and logistics will likely become more pronounced. The decision by Maersk and CMA CGM underscores the interconnectedness of global shipping and international relations, particularly in regions facing economic sanctions and political turmoil.
