Maersk Line has launched its new service network between Asia and Latin America and the West Coast of South America.

According to Maersk, the new services will begin operations from April 2018 and will provide customers with new direct products for Colombia, the Caribbean and Pecem, Brazil. Transit times will be reduced and greater port coverage will be offered.

The optimized network will be operated in conjunction with Hamburg Süd, which will terminate its current vessel sharing agreements on this trade lane with other lines.

The four new service strings will be operated by a total of 39 vessels with a capacity of 4,500 to 10,000 TEUs each. and will call at almost 30 key ports in Asia and Latin America. A connection to Hamburg Süd’s East Coast network will be available at the north Brazilian port of Pecem.

“Our new network in this trade will occupy an exceptional position in the marketplace thanks to the very competitive transit times and outstanding connectivity,” said Frank Smet, chief commercial officer of Hamburg Süd. “Our customers are receiving the high service quality they have come to expect from Hamburg Süd in combination with an unparalleled global network and capacity offering. With the new services and thanks to the independence of this product – without the involvement of VSA partners – we can deliver what we love the most: flexibility and fast, tailor-made direct connections which we develop with our customers.”