March 18, 2009 - Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. ("K" Line), Pacific International Lines (Pte) Ltd ( PIL ), Nippon Yusen Kaisha ( NYK ) and Hyundai Merchant Marine Co. Ltd (HMM) have reached an agreement to launch a joint service between Far East and East Coast South America (ECSA) as from mid-June 2009.
Ten vessels of about 4250 TEU capacity will be deployed on a 70-day round voyage to provide a weekly service. "K" Line, PIL and NYK will provide three vessels each and HMM will deploy one vessel.
The joint service will provide the following port coverage.
Shanghai, Ningbo, Hong Kong, Shekou, Singapore, Santos, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Navegantes, Paranagua,
Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Cape Town (*1), Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
(*1) Only K Line and PIL will offer service to/from Cape Town, South Africa.