CMA CGM has introduced temporary route changes and safety measures for several Atlantic services as severe and unusually persistent storms disrupt navigation along the French, Spanish and Moroccan coasts, particularly in the Bay of Biscay. The French liner major has positioned a number of vessels in designated safe areas from southern Morocco up to the entrance of the English Channel, with holding points including the Seine Bay and Gibraltar, prioritising crew and cargo safety while seeking to limit service delays.
The group said the adverse conditions, marked by high winds, heavy seas and successive storm systems, have rendered some traditional transatlantic passages unsafe, prompting dynamic rerouting and schedule adjustments on services linking Europe with North and South America. Customers are being notified of revised arrival times and operational changes through CMA CGM’s digital tracking platforms, with the carrier emphasising that normal rotations will resume once weather conditions stabilise.
Industry reports note that other lines, including WEC Lines and several major competitors, are also sheltering or slowing vessels as the Bay of Biscay faces a week-long spell of disruption, leading to congestion at safe anchorages and concerns over knock-on effects for European and intercontinental supply chains. Analysts say CMA CGM’s precautionary stance underlines the growing operational impact of extreme weather events on liner networks and the importance of flexible routing, real-time metocean monitoring and contingency capacity during the North Atlantic winter window.
