Zim Integrated Shipping Services is set to launch a new Asia-east coast South America service in September, deploying 11 ships to meet rising demand.
Zim Integrated Shipping Services will launch a new Asia-east coast South America loop in September, deploying 11 ships to capture buoyant container rates, reported London's S&P Global.
The Zim Falcon Service will add between 55,000 and 88,000 TEU of monthly capacity to the trade. Transit time will be 24 days from Shenzhen's Yantian terminal to Rio de Janeiro and 26 days to Santos.
Target cargo includes South American perishables bound for China and electric vehicle shipments from China to South America. The full rotation covers Shanghai, Ningbo, Hong Kong, Yantian, Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Paranagua, Navegantes, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, and back to Shanghai. The service begins on September 13.
The launch will prompt changes to Zim's joint Asia-South America East Coast service with Maersk. Zim will withdraw two 10,000 TEU ships, with Maersk adding replacements to maintain the 14-vessel service linking Argentina and Uruguay with China.
Spot rates between Shanghai and Santos reached about US$8,000 per container on June 26, up $2,000 from early June, according to the Shanghai Shipping Exchange. Rates remain near levels last seen in August 2024 despite easing slightly week on week.
Data from Xeneta's eeSea shows available tonnage on the trade fell by about 130,000 TEU in June compared with May, while schedule reliability dropped to 14 percent. Carriers are now reinjecting capacity to meet demand and stabilize services.
