Hapag-Lloyd will launch a new weekly service connecting Asia with the East Coast of South America in cooperation with ZIM.
The new Asia-South America East Coast service (AS3) is scheduled to begin in September 2026. The jointly operated service will connect several major Chinese gateways with key Brazilian ports.
AS3 to offer weekly Asia-Brazil connections
According to Hapag-Lloyd, the AS3 will provide weekly connections between major Asian and Brazilian ports.
The service will offer extensive coverage in China, including gateways in Central and South China. In Brazil, it will call at Rio Grande, Paranaguá, ItajaÃ, Santos and Rio de Janeiro.
Hapag-Lloyd said the service will also provide connections to River Plate ports via Rio Grande.
The AS3 port rotation will be:
Shanghai – Ningbo – Xiamen – Hong Kong – Yantian – Rio Grande – Paranaguá – Itajaà – Santos – Rio de Janeiro
The first westbound departure from Shanghai is scheduled for 14 September 2026, while the first eastbound departure from Rio Grande is planned for 21 October 2026.
Existing services remain unchanged
Hapag-Lloyd noted that its existing AS2 and ASE services between Asia and the East Coast of South America will remain unchanged following the introduction of AS3.
