News / Cosco launches direct service to Latin America for Chinese EVs

Cosco Shipping Specialised Carriers, the group’s multipurpose arm, has launched Ningbo-Zhoushan port’s first direct container shipping service to South America, targeting the growing Chinese exports of EVs and components to the region.

The service began last week, when the 77,000 dwt 2025-built general cargo ship Green Sepetiba set out from Ningbo-Zhoushan, carrying 128 containers of EVs, vehicle parts and consumer goods.

Ningbo-Zhoushan, in Zhejiang province, is the world’s third busiest container port, after Shanghai and Singapore.

Cosco officials said the service also targeted e-commerce retailers in neighbouring Yiwu, home to the world’s largest wholesale market of consumer goods.

The service will call at the Chinese ports of Qingdao, Shanghai, Taicang, Zhoushan, and Guangzhou, before sailing to key trade hubs in South America such as El Salvador, Vitória, and Sepetiba. All the sailings will be completed in 33 days, as opposed to 40 days with transhipment.

Officials at Ningbo-Zhoushan port said the new service would boost the port’s role as a hub for the Belt and Road Initiative.

Port manager Xu Chi said: “Previously, sailing to the South American east coast involved long distances, time and high costs, resulting in few service frequencies. This new route operates on a fixed weekly schedule, offering more convenient and diverse sailing options, further reducing operating costs for exporters.”

It is estimated that South American containerised imports grew around 10% year on year in 2025; Container Trade Statistics indicated that between January and November, 12.05m teu was imported.

MB Shipbrokers noted that South America’s containerised imports increased year on year every month last year, with March and April volumes up 13% and 14%, respectively.

Exports to South America from Greater China continued to drive this growth, rising 14% in 2025 compared with 2024.