An ongoing cyberattack on shipper CGA CGM is causing problems for filing export manifests, CBP said in a CSMS message Oct. 9. “CBP locations should be aware that CGA CGM has limited capability to supply export manifests filings and is expected to be able to file export manifests by early next week,” the agency said. “Ports should exercise discretion on penalization of CGA CGM to provide the export manifest timely. Export notification will still be required and individual export filers will still need to file timely in [the Automated Export System]. Ports should attempt to work with CGA CGM to receive any export documentation for these filings thru alternate means, if possible.” Those instructions were effective as of 10 p.m. EDT Sept. 27, it said.
The Saudi Ports Authority recently announced a new shipping lane connecting Saudi Arabia with East African countries, according to an April 8 report from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The lane, provided by French shipping company CMA CGM, will provide a “weekly direct service” between Saudi Arabia, Somalia and Kenya, the report said. The lane is expected to cut shipping times between Africa and Saudi Arabia by seven days by eliminating the need for cargo to first travel through European ports, which took as long as 29 days.