Three Asian container shipping companies, Yang Ming, Wan Hai Lines and Pacific International Lines (PIL), will jointly launch a new service between Far East and West Coast of South America.
The port rotation of the new service will be:
Ningbo (China) – Shanghai (China) – Qingdao (China) – Pusan (South Korea) – Manzanillo (Mexico) – Lazaro Cardenas (Mexico) – Puerto Quetzal (Guatemala) – Buenaventura (Colombia) – Valparaiso (Chile) – Ningbo (China)
The new weekly service will be operated by a fleet of vessels with a capacity of 2,400-3,700 TEU.
The first departure of the service is scheduled to start on 13 July from the port of Ningbo, while a round trip will take 70 days.
The service connects China and South Korea with four major countries in South America, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, and Chile.
PIL, which names the service WS6, aims to enhance its network in South America. The new service is expected to complement the company’s two existing services, WS2 and WSA, strengthening PIL’s connectivity in Colombia and Chile, according to a statement.
Tonnie Lim, chief trade officer, PIL, stated, “We are launching this new WS6 service to broaden PIL’s presence in West Coast South America, and capitalise on the growth potential of the Latin American region.”
Yang Ming named the new service SA8, and believes it will boost its existing service network.