Maersk launches new Asia-Latin America loop

The Danish ocean carrier will commence its AC1 service at the end of June, connecting Asia with the West Coast of Latin America.

   Danish ocean carrier Maersk Line will launch its AC1 service at the end of June, connecting Asia with the West Coast of Latin America.
   Operating with 4,500-TEU vessels, the loop will call the ports of Busan, Shanghai, Ningbo, Kaohsiung, Hong Kong, Chiwan, San Antonio, Callao, Buenaventura, Balboa, Lazaro Cardenas and Manzanillo (Mexico).
   Maersk’s overall capacity on its AC network between Asia and the West Coast of South America will remain the same at 22,600 TEUs, the carrier said.
   Consequently, the AC2 is transitioning from 13,000-TEU vessels to 9,600-TEU vessels, while the AC3 is transitioning from 9,600-TEU vessels to 8,500-TEU vessels.
   “The West Coast of Latin America to Asia route is paramount to the movement of fresh goods, such as fish and fruits, to Asia, as well as imports of everything from electronics, appliances, cars and toys to ceramic tiles, steel and glass to Latin America,” Maersk said. “The new service will provide better connections and improved transit times between South and East China, Taiwan and South East Asia to San Antonio in Chile and Callao in Peru.”