TMM, LYKES, COLUMBUS FORM 11-SHIP ASIA/U.S/SOUTH AMERICA VSA

TMM, LYKES, COLUMBUS FORM 11-SHIP ASIA/U.S/SOUTH AMERICA VSA

TMM, LYKES, COLUMBUS FORM 11-SHIP ASIA/U.S/SOUTH AMERICA VSA

   Columbus Line, Maruba, Lykes Lines and TMM Lines are forming a two-loop vessel-sharing agreement that will employ 11 ships on the route from Asia to the West Coast of South America via the U.S. and Canadian west coasts.

   From early May, the VSA's services will replace the North America/West Coast South America service of Ampac consortium members Columbus, Lykes, Maruba and TMM Lines, which will also incorporate a fortnightly multipurpose service run by Lykes and TMM Line.

   TMM said it will not use the Asia/North America West Coast/West Coast of South America vessels to carry cargoes between Asia and North America.

   The port rotation for Loop 1 of the VSA will be Hong Kong; Yantian; Shanghai; Busan; Vancouver, British Columbia; Seattle (seasonal, southbound only); Los Angeles; Manzanillo, Mexico; Salina Cruz (alternate); Puerto Quetz'l; Buenaventura (alternate); Callao; Iquique (alternate); San Antonio; Lirquen (alternate); Callao; Puerto Quetz'l (alternate); Manzanillo; Los Angeles; Seattle (alternate); Vancouver; Hong Kong; Yantian; Shanghai; and Busan.

   The port rotation for Loop 2 will be Hong Kong; Yantian; Shanghai; Busan; Vancouver, British Columbia; Los Angeles; Manzanillo, Mexico; Puerto Quetz'l; Puerto Caldera (alternate); Callao; San Antonio; Callao; Buenaventura (alternate); Puerto Caldera (alternate); Manzanillo; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Vancouver; Hong Kong; Yantian; Shaghai; and Busan.

   For Columbus Line, which already operates one Asia/North America/West Coast of South America service, the addition of a second loop on this extended route represents a further move into the Asia/South America market.