APL, MOL, NYK launch joint service between Asia and South America

APL, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) recently announced the launch of a new joint service between the major trading hubs of Asia and key ports in Mexico, Colombia and Panama.

In a joint statement made by the carriers, APL, MOL and NYK said Asia is an important market for exporters in Latin America. By providing weekly sailings, competitive transit times, as well as regional connectivity to Central America, West Coast South America and the Caribbean basin, the lines are confident that shippers would be well-served, in particular those who are moving refrigerated cargo from Latin America to the fast growing Asian markets.

The Asia-South America Service (ASA) service replaces the Southeast Asia 1 (SE1) service. Eight post-Panamax ships of about 6,000 TEU will be deployed in the joint service. APL will operate six vessels while MOL and NYK will operate one vessel each.

Port rotation for the current SE1 service: Singapore - Chiwan - Kaohsiung - Los Angeles - Manzanillo - Lazaro Cardenas - San Pedro - Yokohama - Kaohsiung - Singapore
Port rotation for the new ASA service: Busan - Yangshan - Chiwan - Hong Kong - Kaohsiung - Manzanillo - Lazaro Cardenas - Buenaventura - Balboa - Lazaro Cardenas - Manzanillo - Yokohama - Busan

The first sailing of the new ASA service will depart Busan May 22nd, 2015.

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