Two paths around the world
Santos and Manzanillo. While CMA CGM and Maersk link South America’s east coast with China and Vietnam, seven smaller carriers from the Far and Middle East have teamed up to provide Mexico’s industry with links across the Pacific.
The shipping line CMA CGM is expanding its network with the launch of its new ‘Seas 3’ service (Asia to the South American east coast), offering an optimised link between the Far East and South America’s east coast. With this new route, the French enterprise has responded to shifting market dynamics in the region and reinforced its presence in Latin America.
The route runs from Shanghai to Shekou, Vung Tau, Singapore and Santos before returning to Shanghai via Singapore. Customers benefit from a direct link to Santos from central and southern China and a unique connection from Vietnam, with the direct call at Vung Tau.
Argentina, Uruguay, the Caribbean
A key element of the service is the enhancement of the Santos hub, supported by a feeder network. This provides connections to Mercosul services like ‘Braco’ to northeastern Brazil and ‘Plata’ for Argentina and Uruguay. Caribbean destinations are also accessible via CMA CGM’s northern ‘Brazex’ service. The service will run weekly and be operated by seven CMA CGM vessels and four Maersk units. The first ship, the CMA CGM Nansha, departed from Shanghai on 8 April.
Seven container carriers active mainly in their respective regions also cited “changed market conditions” as the reason to launch a joint AMX (Asia–Mexico Express) service. In this case the changed conditions refer to industrial production shifting from China to Mexico.
Vessels with a capacity to carry 2,800 teu will be deployed by Emirates Shipping Line and Sea Lead Shipping from Dubai (UAE) for the service, starting on 30 April. Other partners in the arrangement include Regional Container Lines (RCL) from Thailand, Sinotrans Container Lines (SCL) from China, Taiwan’s TS Lines, KMTC Line as well as Sinokor Merchant Marine from South Korea.
Strategic stages
“With strategic calls in Shanghai, Qingdao, Busan and Manzanillo, the new AMX service provides a reliable and efficient transport solution for trade between China, South Korea and Mexico,” Sea Lead stated. The service concept improves transit times and ensures a faster and seamless freight connections on this key trade route.
Also a plus for trans-Atlantic options.
By integrating existing services to the Americas, the AMX option has also expanded trans-Atlantic trade options and simultaneously enhanced global connectivity, Sea Lead added.