GERMAN container shipping line Hamburg Sud is joining Mediterranean Shipping Company's (MSC) Asia-South Africa-East Coast South America (ECSA) 'Ipanema' service from the end of April.

Hamburg Sud will initially contribute two 7,800 TEU ships that are each fitted with 1,600 reefer plugs.

The port rotation for the 'Ipanema' has been revised to call at: Shanghai, Ningbo, Chiwan, Singapore, Durban, Santos, Buenos Aires, Paranagua, Navegantes, Santos, Ngqura, Durban, Colombo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai.

A report by Alphaliner said the tie up between the two carriers comes amid stiff competition on the Asia-South America trades, as more and more large container ships are being cascaded into the trade from the East-West lanes.