OREANDA-NEWS. Today, Maersk Line announced that it has entered into Vessel Sharing Agreement (VSA) with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and Mitsui O.S.K Lines (MOL) on the Asia to East Coast of South America trade.

Asia to the East Coast of South America is a key route for the transport of electronics and automobile parts, propelling the automobile industry within Latin America. The route also facilitates protein exports from the East Coast of South America to Asia.

The VSA will simplify the network and improve operational responsiveness on the route. It will also enable us to deploy vessels that are better suited for East Coast South America terminal capabilities and continue to optimize utilisation of vessel capacity, providing greater economies of scale.

The VSA will include 22 vessels on a two loop setup, offering extensive and reliable coverage as follows:

Loop 1:  Busan (South Korea) - Shanghai (China) - Ningbo (China) - Chiwan (China) - Yantian (China) - Hong Kong (Hong Kong) - Singapore (Singapore) - Santos (Brazil) - Parangua (Brazil) - Buenos Aires (Argentina) -Montevideo (Uruguay) - Rio Grande (Brazil) - Paranagua (Brazil) - Santos (Brazil) - Coega (South Africa)  - Singapore (Singapore) - Hong Kong (Hong Kong) - Busan (South Korea)

Loop 2: Chiwan (China) - Yantian (China) - Hong Kong (Hong Kong) - Singapore (Singapore) - Santos (Brazil) - Sepetiba (Brazil) - Itajai (Brazil) - Navegantes (Brazil) - Sao Francisco do Sul (Brazil) - Santos (Brazil) - Sepetiba (Brazil) - Capetown (South Africa) - Durban (South Africa) - Singapore (Singapore) - Chiwan (China)

(Rotations subject to berth window confirmations)

MSC and Maersk Line will each operate six (6) vessels of 9,000 TEUs on Loop 1. MOL will operate ten (10) vessels of 5,500 TEUs on Loop 2.

The new VSA is expected to start with the first vessel departure from the Far East during the first week of July. It will replace all current VSAs in place on this route, which will expire at the end of June.