WALLENIUS WILHELMSEN SELECTS PANAMANIAN HUB

WALLENIUS WILHELMSEN SELECTS PANAMANIAN HUB

   Wallenius Wilhelmsen, the large roll-on/roll-off shipping line, has named the port of Manzanillo, on the Atlantic coast of Panama, as the hub for its services to and from South America.

   The shipping line said Manzanillo will serve as its principal link between Latin America and the rest of its global trading network. Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s vessels will call at Manzanillo International Terminal, and will have a dedicated area to service automobiles and ro/ro cargoes at the terminal.

   The Manzanillo hub will give access to several new markets, as well as open up new trade opportunities, such as U.S. West Coast/South America, Asia/South America, Europe/South America, and Australia/New Zealand/South America, Wallenius Wilhelmsen said.

   “This move further reflects the company’s positioning of South America as a key component of our global trading network,” said Jan-Eyvin Wang, president of Wallenius Wilhelmsen for the Americas’ region.

   The shipping line will also continue to offer a direct service via the U.S. East and Gulf coasts to both the East and West Coasts of South America.

   Wallenius Wilhelmsen also has established hub facilities at the ports of Baltimore, Md. and Brunswick, Ga. on the U.S. East Coast, and Port Hueneme, Calif. on the U.S. West Coast.