NYK has announced its participation in the Brazilian cabotage business through a acquisition of 10 per cent of the shares of Maestra Navegação e Logistica S.A. (Maestra) and its two group companies.

NYK and Maestra have also agreed to nominate one board member from the NYK Group to Maestra's board of directors and to start Brazilian domestic container transport from November.

The new cabotage service to be offered by NYK and Maestra are as follows: Four 1,100 to 1,600 TEU nominal vessels will be deployed on fixed day weekly service. Port rotation is Navegantes, Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Suape, Manaus, Suape, and back to Navegantes.

"It will help NYK gain showing steady growth every year, and also have coverage to and from Manaus (Amazon Region) and northeast Brazil connecting with NYK's existing liner services calling the country", a statement issued by NYK said.