Maersk Line, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and Mitsui O.S.K Lines (MOL) have entered into a Vessel Sharing Agreement (VSA) on the Asia to East Coast of South America trade.
Asia to the East Coast of South America is a key route for the transport of electronics and automobile parts, propelling the automobile industry within Latin America. The route also facilitates protein exports from the East Coast of South America to Asia.
22 Vessels
The VSA is to simplify the network, improve operational responsiveness on the route and provide greater economies of scale. The agreement will include 22 vessels on a two loop setup, offering extensive and reliable coverage as follows:
- Loop 1: Busan (South Korea) – Shanghai (China) – Ningbo (China) – Chiwan (China) – Yantian (China) – Hong Kong (Hong Kong) – Singapore (Singapore) – Santos (Brazil) – Parangua (Brazil) – Buenos Aires (Argentina) -Montevideo (Uruguay) – Rio Grande (Brazil) – Paranagua (Brazil) – Santos (Brazil) – Coega (South Africa) – Singapore (Singapore) – Hong Kong (Hong Kong) – Busan (South Korea)
- Loop 2: Chiwan (China) – Yantian (China) – Hong Kong (Hong Kong) – Singapore (Singapore) – Santos (Brazil) – Sepetiba (Brazil) – Itajai (Brazil) – Navegantes (Brazil) – Sao Francisco do Sul (Brazil) – Santos (Brazil) – Sepetiba (Brazil) – Capetown (South Africa) – Durban (South Africa) – Singapore (Singapore) – Chiwan (China)
MSC and Maersk Line will each operate six vessels of 9000 teus on Loop 1. MOL will operate ten vessels of 5500 teus on Loop 2. The new VSA is expected to start with the first vessel departure from the Far East during the first week of July. It will replace all current VSAs in place on this route, which will expire at the end of June.
