Cape Town shipping

Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK), Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. (“K” Line), Pacific International Lines (Pte.) Ltd. (PIL), and Hyundai Merchant Marine Co. Ltd. (HMM) have reached an agreement to launch a joint service between the Far East and the east coast of South America from mid-June 2009, according to a press release.

Some 10 vessels of about 4,250 TEUs each will be deployed in this 70-day rotation, thus allowing for a weekly service to be maintained.

NYK, “K” Line, and PIL will provide three vessels each and HMM will deploy one vessel.

The joint service will provide the following port coverage: Shanghai, Ningbo, Hong Kong, Shekou, Singapore, Santos, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Navegantes, Paranagua, Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Cape Town (only “K” Line and PIL will offer service to Cape Town), Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai.