News / Container shipping rates could plunge after Asia-Latin America capacity hike

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Container lines on the Asia-west coast South America tradelane are preparing for a fight for market share, as capacity is set to spike by 18%, year on year.

According to Alphaliner’s analysis of the Asia-Latin America route, following the restructuring of services caused by Maersk Line’s acquisition of Hamburg Süd, from April weekly capacity will reach some 84,000 teu, compared with 71,000 teu a year ago.

The reorganisation of Hamburg Süd’s services and the termination of its vessel-sharing agreements on the tradelane was ...