CMA CGM has pushed back its plan to deploy ultra-large boxships into the US West Coast from Asia, according analyst Alphaliner.

While the French line has been running trial calls with the 17,800 teu CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin between Asia and the US West Coast since December 2015, a plan to add another five sister vessels for a regular string from the end of May.

It would have marked the first time that a line deployed such large containerships into US ports on a regular basis, breaking the current 100% reliance on the Asia – Europe trade.

“These plans appear now to have been shelved after freight rates on the FE (Far East) -USWC route plunged to record lows,” Alphaliner said.