GENEVA's Mediterranan Shipping Company (MSC) has announced to brand its Far East-WCSA Loop 2 as Alpaca, while retaining its existing name 'Andes' for Loop 1.

Both services are ensured within an agreement with CSAV and CMA CGM while CSCL takes slots in continuation of its previous commitment, reports Alphaliner. The move allows the four carriers involved to widen their coverage and reduce costs with adjustments for seasonal lows, said the Paris-based maritime consultant.

Loop 1 (Andes / ACSA 1 / ANDEX 1) calls at Shenzhen-Chiwan, Hong Kong, Ningbo, Shanghai, Busan, Yokohama, Manzanillo-Mexico, Balboa, Callao, Iquique, San Antonio, San Vicente, San Antonio, Callao, Balboa, Manzanillo (Mex), Shanghai, Keelung and back to Shenzhen-Chiwan deploying 11 ships in the 8,000 to 8,500 TEU range. Eight ships will be provided by MSC, two by CSAV and one by CMA CGM. The first sailing departed from Shenzhen- Chiwan on October 18 with the CMA CGM Nabucco.

Loop 2 (Alpaca / ACSA 2 / ANDEX 2) calls at Xingang, Qingdao, Busan, Shanghai, Ningbo, Xiamen, Hong Kong, Shenzhen-Chiwan, Busan, Manzanillo-Mexico, Lazaro Cardenas, Balboa, Buenaventura, Lazaro Cardenas, Manzanillo-Mexico, Yokohama and back to Xingang. The service deploys 10 ships in the 6,500 TEU range of which seven are provided by CSAV and three by CMA CGM. The first sailing departed from Xingang on October 21 with the Puelo.