DK Maersk Line Emma ship

Maersk Line has announced the optimisation of its AC network with the launch of a new AC1 service, connecting the West Coast of Latin America with Asia, which will begin at the end of June.

According to the company, the new service will provide Maersk Line’s customers with an improved product offering, including reduced transit times and greater port coverage on certain corridors, while maintaining the network’s stability.

In order to improve its product offering and optimise its AC network, Maersk Line will add a third loop to the AC network. The AC1 service, connecting the West Coast of Latin America to Asia, will provide greater port coverage and reduced transit times on select corridors.

Although the overall capacity on the AC network will remain the same, the optimised network will deliver greater value for Maersk Line’s customers. By reducing the size of vessels operating on the AC2 service, the shipping line will be able to introduce a third loop to the network.

“We are optimising our Asia-West Coast Latin America network to provide our customers with faster access to their markets in order to fuel their business growth,' said Dean Rodin, head of trade for Latin America & Oceania at Maersk Line. 'These enhancements will benefit our customers with faster cargo deliveries and more direct port coverage.'

The West Coast of Latin America to Asia route is paramount to the movement of fresh goods, such as fish and fruits, to Asia.

Maersk Line says 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, among other benefits.