Although the overall capacity on the AC network will remain the same, Maersk will be reducing the size of vessels operating on the AC2 service, which will enable the shipping line to introduce a third loop to the network.
The West Coast Latin America-to-Asia route is important to the movement of fresh goods, such as fish and fruits, to Asia, as well as imports of electronics, appliances, cars, toys, ceramic tiles, steel, and glass to Latin America. The new service will provide better connections and improved transit times between South and East China, Taiwan, and South East Asia to San Antonio in Chile and Callao in Peru.
Maersk says the AC1 service is the only direct service in the market from Nansha to West Coast South America and that it will provide the fastest service, at 27 days, from Chiwan to San Antonio and Callao. The service will provide two weekly sailings from Shanghai and Ningbo to the West Coast South America and will feature a direct call from San Vicente, Chile, to Taiwan.
Maersk Line’s current offerings from China, Korea and Japan to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean via Panama will be maintained on the AC2 and AC3 services.
