Capacity injection for east-west trades as more ULCVs are delivered
East-west tradelanes saw some capacity injected over the past two weeks as several large containerships ...
By Alison Koo
Shipping lines are adding capacity to the Asia-South America lane, as seen from assignation of the latest newbuilding deliveries.
Of the six known deliveries, two ships, Maersk Tokyo and CMA CGM Copper, will be deployed to Asia-South America services.
Delivered from HD Hyundai Samho, the 13,136 teu CMA CGM Copper is the second last among 12 methanol-enabled sister ships that CMA CGM commissioned.
CMA CGM Copper has been sent to the Asia-West Coast South America ACSA 1 service that the French line operates jointly with Cosco and OOCL, joining a sister ship, CMA CGM Platinum.
Alphaliner said the ship series was well suited to the South American trade, as they offered significant reefer capacity with their 2,100 plugs.
The 8,900 teu Maersk Tokyo, ordered by Japanese tonnage provider Nissen Kaiun at Japan Marine United (now part of Imabari Shipbuilding), for long-term charter to Maersk Line, has been deployed to the Danish operator’s Asia-West Coast South America AC 3 service.
MB Shipbrokers said in a report last week that South American containerised import volumes had maintained strong growth throughout 2026.
From January to April 2026, total imports increased by 9.1% year on year, compared with the same period in 2025. Following an 8.6% y-o-y increase in Q1 26, imports accelerated further in April, rising 10.5% yoy, confirming a strong start to Q2 26.
Import growth was primarily driven by shipments from China, which increased by nearly 20% year on year.
Greater China remained South America’s largest export origin, accounting for 40% of the region’s total imports. Brazil remained the key driver of South American import demand, with imports increasing 14% year on year during the January-April period. During the first four months of 2026, Brazil accounted for 26% of the region’s total import volumes .
Delivery of ultra-large ships continued to be slow, reflecting a decline in such orders in 2022 to 2023.
The sole giant ship hitting the water the past week was the 24,000 teu OOCL Wisdom. Built by Nantong Cosco KHI Ship Engineering, OOCL Wisdom is the largest methanol dual-fuelled ship and will be assigned to OOCL’s Asia-North Europe service.
Another ship, the 16,188 teu CMA CGM Berenice, was delivered by Jiangnan Shipyard and will be sent to CMA CGM’s Asia-Mediterranean service.
One feeder, the 1,208 teu Mila Green, was delivered by Jiangsu Dajin Heavy Industry and will be operated by JSV Logistics on an intra-Mediterranean service.
Finally, a reefer ship, Snow Flake, will be operated by Sweden’s Cool Carriers to transport fruits worldwide.
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