Liners send new capacity straight into busy Asia-Latin America services

Shipping lines are adding capacity to the Asia-South America lane, as seen from assignation of the latest newbuilding deliveries. Of the six known deliveries, two ships, Maersk Tokyo and CMA CGM Copper , will be deployed to Asia-South America services. Delivered from HD Hyundai Samho, the 13,136 teu CMA CGM Copper is the second last among 12 methanol-enabled sister ships that CMA CGM commissioned. CMA CGM Copper has been sent to the Asia-West Coast South America ACSA 1 service that the French line operates jointly with Cosco and OOCL, joining a sister ship, CMA CGM Platinum . Alphaliner said the ship series was well suited to the South American trade, as they offered significant reefer capacity with their 2,100 plugs. The 8,900 teu Maersk Tokyo , ordered by Japanese tonnage provider Nissen Kaiun at Japan Marine United (now part of Imabari Shipbuilding), for long-term charter to Maersk Line, has been deployed to the Danish operator’s Asia-West Coast South America AC 3 service. MB Shipbrokers said in a report last week that South American containerised import volumes had maintained strong growth throughout 2026. From January to April 2026, total imports increased by 9.1% year on year, compared with the same period in 2025. Following an 8.6% y-o-y increase in Q1 26, imports accelerated further in April, rising 10.5% yoy, confirming a strong start to Q2 26. Import growth was primarily driven by shipments from China, which increased by nearly 20% year on year. Greater China remained South America’s largest export origin, accounting for 40% of the region’s total imports. Brazil remained the key driver of South American import demand, with imports increasing 14% year on year during the January-April period. During the first four months of 2026, Brazil accounted for 26% of the region’s total import volumes . Delivery of ultra-large ships continued to be slow, reflecting a decline in such orders in 2022 to 2023. The sole giant ship hitting the water the past week was the 24,000 teu OOCL Wisdom . Built by Nantong Cosco KHI Ship Engineering, OOCL Wisdom is the largest methanol dual-fuelled ship and will be assigned to OOCL’s Asia-North Europe service. Another ship, the 16,188 teu CMA CGM Berenice , was delivered by Jiangnan Shipyard and will be sent to CMA CGM’s Asia-Mediterranean service. One feeder, the 1,208 teu Mila Green , was delivered by Jiangsu Dajin Heavy Industry and will be operated by JSV Logistics on an intra-Mediterranean service. Finally, a reefer ship, Snow Flake , will be operated by Sweden’s Cool Carriers to transport fruits worldwide. This article is © The Loadstar. Reproduction, rewriting, or derivative use requires a license. Contact [email protected] for licensing enquiries.