A NEW direct service from Asia to the west coast of South America from mid-September is being launched by China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL), Hanjin Shipping, CMA CGM and Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM).

This direct and weekly sailing offers a 70-day round voyage, covering Asia and the west coast of South America, including the Port of Manzanillo, Mexico.

The port rotation for the new Asia-Latin America West Coast Express (ALW) service is Shenzhen-Shekou, Ningbo, Shanghai, Busan, Manzanillo, Buenaventura, Guayaquil, Callao, Iquique, Valparaiso, SanVicente, Manzanillo, Busan and back to Shenzhen-Shekou.

Ten vessels ranging in size from 2,350-2,550 TEU and 300 usable reefer plugs will be deployed on the service, with CSCL and Hanjin providing four ships each, and CMA CGM and HMM one each.

"The introduction of this direct service will improve the current transit time and fulfil customers' growing needs in accordance with the increasing trade activity from Asia to west coast of South America," a joint statement said.

Source: shipping online