Marseilles' shipping giant CMA CGM and Germany's Hamburg Sud plan to extend existing cooperation that provides services between North Europe and both east and west coasts of South America with new loops between Asia and the Caribbean.

Since mid-January Hamburg Sud is taking slots between Asia and the Caribbean on CMA CGM's PEX 2 service as well as on the Brazex service which provides it with a connection to Manaus from the Caribbean.

Starting mid-May, pending US regulatory approval, the lines will start a new pendulum service which will connect Asia, the Caribbean, the United States east coast and north Europe.

This would include input from United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) for the transatlantic side, about which more information will soon be available soon. This loop will be complement the one connecting Asia with US east coast via Suez.

From July, the lines will, together with further partners, revamp the services between Asia and both east and west coast of South America. Details on the new service configurations are being finalised and will be available shortly.

The enhanced cooperation allows both lines to provide the market with cost efficient, innovative new products which will be best in class as far as scope, frequency and fast transit times are concerned, said the press release.

Under the agreement and apart from the above-mentioned services, the lines have agreed to explore other cooperation opportunities as they arise.