NYK, HMM, `K` Line join in Asia-east coast South America service

NIPPON Yusen Kaisha (NYK), Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM), Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha ("K" Line) and Pacific International Lines (PIL) are starting a new twice weekly loop from Asia to the east coast of South America, the NHX-2, in March.

The NHX-2 will deploy 3,000-TEU vessels on a 70-day round voyage. The port rotation is Ningbo, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Singapore, Port Kelang, Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Vitoria, Navegantes, Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Singapore, Hong Kong, and back to Ningbo.


This new service will be operated in addition to the existing New Horizon Express (NHX-1) service currently provided by the four ocean liners, a statement from NYK said.


"NHX-2 will enhance our current service to the growing South American market with direct coverage to Vitoria, Brazil, as well as a faster transit time to Rio de Janeiro," it said.


"We will further expand this to a fixed-day weekly service should there be strong support from the market," said the statement.


In addition, the weekly NHX-1 service is adding a port of call in Busan, South Korea from the middle of next month. A round trip is expected to take 77 days, and will use 4,250-TEU ships.


The expanded port rotation for the NHX-1 will be: Busan, Shanghai, Ningbo, Hong Kong, Shenzhen-Shekou, Singapore, Santos, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Navegantes, Paranagua, Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Singapore, Hong Kong and back to Busan.